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More details have emerged in the Albany homicide case involving Alphonso Lester, who is accused of killing his sister, Angela Helms. Prosecutors allege that the 60-year-old Lester murdered his 61-year-old sister at a house on Hudson Avenue. Her body was discovered on Wednesday (October 15), and Lester was arrested hours later at his home on Western Avenue following a standoff with police.
According to WNYT, neighbors reported hearing yelling from the Hudson Avenue residence around 8 a.m. that morning. Investigators found Helms with a head injury, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say Lester struck her with a blunt object before fleeing.
In Albany City Court on Thursday (October 16), Lester pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and first-degree burglary. He has two prior felonies and is currently on parole. During the court proceedings, a person in the courtroom shouted, calling Lester a murderer.
Lester is being held in Albany County Jail without bail. A grand jury is expected to review the case next week, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 21 at 3:30 p.m.