Judge jails Oakland rape suspect for failing to die

OAKLAND — Lester Lewis’ chances of freedom seemed bleak.

The allegations were horrific, even for a rape case, and the prosecution’s evidence appeared to be strong. He was accused of beating, burning, and sexually violating a woman as she died of a suspected drug overdose in his apartment, then coldly dragging her corpse to an outside stairwell for some unlucky person to find.

But Lewis, 76, had one thing going for him — his failing health. He had medical maladies that required hospitalization and were so serious that the Alameda County District Attorney’s office became convinced his death was “near” and agreed to his release, court records show.

Six months later, Lewis is still breathing, his heart is still beating, and any good will he may have had from a judge or prosecutor is gone. O