Cheer mom sentenced in nurse's Rolling Hills Estates mall murder
Mother convicted of murder for cheer trip
Cherie Lynnette Townsend, 47, was convicted of first-degree murder for the 2018 stabbing death of Susan Leeds, 66, in a Rolling Hills Estates parking garage.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - A woman who was convicted of fatally stabbing a retired nurse in a parking garage at a Rolling Hills Estates mall was sentenced Friday to 26 years to life in prison.
What we know:
Cherie Lynette Townsend, 47, will serve the sentence in state prison as a result of her conviction last December of first-degree murder for the May 3, 2018 killing of Susan Leeds, 66, of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Jurors also found true an allegation that Townsend personally used a knife during the commission of the crime.
Leeds was found in her Mercedes-Benz SUV at the Promenade on the Peninsula, having suffered 17 stab wounds to her neck and upper body.
Investigators discovered Townsend’s cell phone directly beneath the victim’s vehicle.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman found guilty in 2018 killing of nurse at Rolling Hills Estates mall
Trial testimony revealed Townsend was in financial distress at the time, with bank balances near zero and a history of bounced checks for her daughter's expensive cheerleading program.
A witness also testified to seeing Townsend at the mall that day, described as "staring" at her in a way that made her feel "something bad was going to happen."
What we don't know:
While the prosecution contended the motive was robbery, Leeds was still wearing her jewelry when found, and there was no evidence her credit cards or ID were used following the murder.
Furthermore, no DNA or physical evidence from Leeds was recovered from Townsend’s vehicle, and the murder weapon was never recovered.
The defense maintains Townsend is innocent, claiming there is no explanation for how her phone ended up under the car.
Timeline:
May 3, 2018: Leeds is fatally stabbed in a mall parking garage.
May 2018: Townsend is arrested but released five days later pending further investigation.
November 2018: Townsend files a federal lawsuit against LA County for false imprisonment and defamation.
August 2023: Townsend is re-arrested by the Sheriff's Department's Fugitive Unit.
December 2024: A jury finds Townsend guilty of first-degree murder.
January 23, 2026: Victim impact statements are heard by Judge John J. Lonergan Jr.
Today: Townsend is sentenced to 26 years to life in prison.
What's next:
Townsend was transferred to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to begin serving her term.
The defense has not yet publicly confirmed if they intend to appeal the conviction.
The Source: This report is based on courtroom testimony from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide detectives, medical examiners, and eyewitnesses, as well as official statements from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Information regarding the victim's family was gathered from impact statements delivered directly to the court during the sentencing phase. City News Service contributed.