FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Lisa Hinthorne agreed to become a convicted killer as she pleaded no contest to the 2023 death of her half-sister, Patty Kennett, on Wednesday.
It came just hours before prosecutors were set to reveal new evidence during a preliminary hearing.
“The maximum punishment for the crimes that you’re pleading to is 40 years to life,” Fresno County Superior Court Judge Raj Singh Badhesha told Hinthorne.
Authorities say Hinthorne claimed her sister had died, but there were no hospital or ambulance records.
Investigators later found Kennett’s bloodied car in Madera, and her body in a remote area of Coalinga.
“Patty was her ride (or) die,” Terrie Fairley told Action News on November 29, 2023. “Patty was everything to her, so I don’t understand what happened.”
Fairley, Hinthorne’s ex-wife, said her spouse of 32 years was loving and caring, but said Hinthorne abruptly moved out and asked for a divorce months before the murder.
“She did what she did, and it was a horrible way for Patty to die,” Fairley said at the time. “She didn’t deserve that, and I hope justice gets served.”
For two years, there has been no motive, and the public has known little about the investigation.
Police only said that investigators obtained surveillance video showing Kennett falling to the ground and then Hinthorne moving the body with an accomplice.
“I don’t think there’s any question the video would have played. There’s no question in my mind,” Action News Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi said. “The video wouldn’t have shown the actual murder, but it sure is strong circumstantial evidence.”
Such evidence is now sealed. Hinthorne’s change of plea avoids a jury trial and shaves 10 years off her sentence.
“Was there an advantage to pleading to the second degree? Maybe it was to keep the family from going through the travails of a trial, the heartbreak or the emotions,” Capozzi said.
Hinthorne also gave up her right to appeal. A judge will sentence her to 40 years to life in prison on January 8.
