Florida man gets life for stabbing girlfriend in front of children

A Florida man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for fatally stabbing his girlfriend in front of her five children, a crime a judge called “chilling” and prosecutors described as an act of “unimaginable” violence.

Eddie Lee Howard, 56, received an automatic life term after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Kimberly McLemore, 45. The attack unfolded in October 2022 at their home in Lake City, leaving five children, ages 9 to 18, as helpless witnesses. One of the victim’s daughters later told reporters, “Imagine seeing someone take your mom and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Prosecutors said Howard stabbed McLemore at least 18 times with a kitchen knife after an argument.

Domestic violence experts say the case reflects a brutal pattern seen nationwide where abusers escalate violence when victims try to leave or set boundaries. Florida’s domestic violence homicide rate has risen 20 percent since 2018, according to state data. Howard had a prior conviction for domestic battery from 2015, though he served no jail time. The state attorney general’s office pushed for a life sentence, arguing that leniency would send the wrong message to other abusers.

McLemore’s children now live with relatives under trauma counseling. The case has triggered calls for stronger enforcement of domestic violence restraining orders and better tracking of repeat offenders. A recent state audit found that nearly one-third of Florida’s protective orders are issued without required risk assessments. The tragedy underscores how domestic violence ripples beyond the couple, leaving lasting scars on children who witness it.