HOUSTON, Texas – A woman in Houston has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering her boyfriend by stabbing him to death in the Galleria area. The incident occurred in early 2018 at a hotel on Richmond Avenue.
Shataraca Denise Pervis admitted to killing her 34-year-old boyfriend, Melvin Maxwell, just one month after they met. According to Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, the murder was a tragic result of domestic violence and was completely unnecessary.
Pervis had been staying with Maxwell at the hotel for several days before fatally stabbing him with a steak knife. After the incident, she fled the hotel and confessed to friends that she had killed someone, but did not provide further details. Maxwell’s body was later discovered in the hotel room, which had been left in a gruesome state.
In June 2021, Pervis was arrested for the murder and chose to plead guilty before the jury selection began for her trial. According to Assistant District Attorney Kelly Marshall, the murder was a callous act, and Pervis’ escape and lies following the crime only delayed the eventual justice that caught up with her.
As part of her sentencing, Pervis must serve at least half of her 22-year sentence before being eligible for parole. She is also not permitted to appeal the conviction or the sentence.
In conclusion, Shataraca Denise Pervis of Houston, Texas, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of her boyfriend, Melvin Maxwell, who she fatally stabbed at a hotel in the Galleria area in early 2018. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence.