Woman who killed abusive lover acquitted 

By Sam Pazzano

Melissa Lewis, seen here testifying in her own defence at her trial, was acquitted of second-degree murder by jury Friday night. PAM DAVIES

TORONTO - An abused woman who killed her lover was found not guilty of murder, a jury decided Friday.
Melissa Lewis who admitted she fatally stabbed Jermaine Gillespie on May 29, 2010, and 13 hours of deliberations, the jury returned the verdict shortly after 10 p.m.
Lewis reacted with relief and hugged her two brothers following the verdict.
“I feel that justice has been done,” Lewis said outside court. “I still love him and I never meant to kill him. I can’t wait to hug my daughter.”
Lewis’ lawyer Howard Goldkind had asked the jury to acquit because she “reacted impulsively and with a reflex action” against her long-time abuser.
Lewis, 26, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the homicide of Lewis, the father of their then six-year-old daughter.
“I think the jury was composed of very intelligent people,” Goldkind outside court after the verdict. “And they found this was a justifiable homicide, which is very rare, but it was justifiable in these circumstances.”
Crown attorneys Jill Witkin and Louise Collins argued that Lewis murdered Gillespie in a crime fueled by jealousy, rejection and anger after he severed their tumultuous, 10-year relationship.
Lewis’ diary writings revealed an enraged woman venting her vitriol against Gillespie and his myriad lovers. Lewis realized Gillespie was rejecting her and he continued their troubled relationship so he could see their daughter, argued Witkin.
Gillespie, 25, was driving Lewis, their daughter and her father in west-end Toronto when a nasty verbal conflict turned physical, culminating in Lewis plunging a 12-inch knife into Gillespie’s neck.
Goldkind argued his client feared Gillespie was reaching for his firearm, which he stored in his vehicle.
“Melissa had suffered significant abuse over many years and she had reason to fear for the safety of her daughter and her dad, so she responded and you see the result,” concluded Goldkind.
Despite repeated convictions for domestic assault and resulting court orders prohibiting the couple from associating, Lewis and Gillespie continued to see each other in a turbulent, unhealthy relationship, said Goldkind.