Cleveland Man Found Guilty Of Murdering Woman At Church

CLEVELAND — Michael Preston was found guilty of murder this week. Preston was accused of intentionally running over a woman in a church parking lot in November 2018.

Preston, 23, was found guilty by a jury of murder, reckless homicide, felonious assault and two counts of aggravated robbery. He was taken into custody after Lesley DeJesus, 33, was killed in a church parking lot.

“This was a tragic loss of life during a time the victim and her family were preparing for a celebration,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley. “There was a mountain of DNA evidence that illustrated he was responsible for this crime, so his conviction comes as no surprise.”

According to prosecutors, on Nov. 15, 2018, DeJesus and her husband, Jesus Cruz-Maldonado, took their children to church on Archwood Avenue, near Pearl Road, to prepare for their daughter's Quinceañera.

When they came out of the church, one of the children noticed Preston and another man inside of the family's car. Both parents ran toward the car and a struggle ensued, prosecutors said. Cruz-Maldonado pulled one of the men out of the passenger seat and that suspect ran away.

Preston got control of the car and then tried to drive away. He dragged both DeJesus and Cruz-Maldonado with the car. Both parents fell to the ground and Preston then ran over DeJesus, killing her.

Cleveland police were called to the church and DeJesus was then pronounced dead.

Investigators said they found Preston's DNA on the car's gearshift, steering wheel and driver's side door handle. Preston's DNA was also found on a lighter, brick, screwdriver and pry tool found in the parking lot.

Preston's trial lasted nine days. Prosecutors called 12 witnesses. A jury then found him guilty of murdering DeJesus. He will be sentenced to Feb. 12.