West Sacramento man sentenced for killing ex-girlfriend’s lover with sword, prosecutors say

A West Sacramento man was sentenced last week to 30 years to life for stabbing a man’s heart with a sword during a confrontation about the victim’s relationship with a woman both men dated, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.

Jeffrey Lee, 39, was sentenced Oct. 4 after his April conviction of second-degree murder, enhanced by allegations that he used a deadly weapon during the commission of the crime and that he’s been previously convicted of a felony, according to court records.

West Sacramento police officers were called April 5, 2022, for reports of a man bleeding on the ground near a motor home.

The victim, 28-year-old Jack Knox, was pronounced dead by medical personnel after suffering a stab wound, prosecutors said.

Surveillance video of the area pointed to the suspect as Lee, who was later taken into custody. Lee directed investigators to the murder weapon, a short sword, hidden around his camp near the Sacramento river, prosecutors said.

“The confrontation between the two (men) was related to concerns Lee had over Knox’s relationship with Lee’s ex-girlfriend,” prosecutors said.

This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 6:42 PM.