HOUSTON, TX – A woman in Houston has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering her boyfriend in the Galleria area. Shataraca Denise Pervis admitted to killing her 34-year-old boyfriend, Melvin Maxwell, in a hotel on Richmond Avenue on January 4, 2018.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg described the murder as a tragic result of domestic violence. Pervis and Maxwell had been in a relationship for only a month before the deadly incident took place. Pervis stabbed Maxwell with a steak knife before fleeing the hotel, leaving his decomposing body behind.
Following a five-year investigation, Pervis was arrested in June 2021 and subsequently pleaded guilty to the murder. She must serve at least half of her 22-year sentence before being eligible for parole, and she has waived her right to appeal the conviction and sentence.
Assistant District Attorney Kelly Marshall, who prosecuted the case, emphasized the callous nature of the murder and praised the justice system for holding Pervis accountable for her actions. The district attorney also mourned the loss of the victim and expressed empathy for his family, underscoring that the tragic murder was entirely avoidable.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and highlights the importance of addressing and preventing such violence in our communities. The victim’s family has been left to grieve while Pervis faces the consequences of her violent actions.