Moreno to be sentenced for manslaughter
By Terry Murry on Monday, July 12th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UPDATE – Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Nagle said he’s been advised by the Walla Walla County Superior Court that Leslie Moreno’s sentencing hearing has been moved to August 11, 2021.
“The defense attorney requested a psychological report of the defendant,” Nagle said.
WALLA WALLA – A Waitsburg woman found guilty of fatally stabbing her boyfriend on Dec. 28, 2018, is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon (Monday) in Walla Walla County Superior Court. Leslie Moreno, 27, was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Marcus Allessio, 25, also of Waitsburg, on Feb. 19, 2021. She was charged with second-degree murder and entered a not guilty plea on Jan. 14, 2019.
The incident was captured by a neighbor’s security camera which was obtained by the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office and used as evidence. According to court documents, Allessio is seen walking out of the garage and getting into a vehicle. Moreno can be seen following him with a knife in her hand and while getting into the vehicle, holds the knife up like she is going to stab him.
Dispatchers received a call on Dec. 28, 2018, of a possible assault at a residence on the 200 block of Wheatland Drive in Waitsburg. Moreno told dispatchers she was driving Allessio to the hospital and that he was suffering badly from a knife wound. First responders met the vehicle on the way to Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla and transported Allessio the rest of the way, but hospital staff declared him dead after multiple attempts to save his life.
Deputies found a large knife on the driver’s side floorboard. Both Moreno and Allessio lived at the same residence in Waitsburg where the assault took place.
