Christmas Day Turned Deadly (Image Credits: Flickr)
Las Vegas – A jury convicted Anthony Newton on Friday of first-degree murder and related charges in the 2016 killing and dismemberment of his wife’s former lover, concluding a case that spanned nearly a decade.[1]
Christmas Day Turned Deadly
Ulyses Cesar Molina met a horrific end on Christmas 2016 after arriving at an apartment under false pretenses. Prosecutors described how Newton, fueled by rage over Molina’s affair with his wife, waited in ambush. Newton stepped on Molina’s neck until he stopped breathing, while accusing the victim of the infidelity.[1][2]
Newton’s brother-in-law, George Malaperdas, assisted by helping tie up Molina. Kelsea Wray Glass, who had romantic ties to both men, played a key role in luring Molina to the location with a phone call. The group then transported the body to another site for dismemberment.[1]
Remains Discovered in Disturbing Fashion
Authorities found Molina’s burned and dismembered torso and legs inside a suitcase abandoned in a vacant desert lot on December 28, 2016. Two years later, in 2018, a human hand bearing Molina’s fingerprint turned up in a Henderson mailbox – while Newton sat in custody. Investigators never recovered the victim’s head.[1][2]
Prosecutor Pamela Weckerly emphasized Newton’s direct involvement during the trial. “But what you will know and what will be abundantly clear is that the person that killed Cesar Molina was Anthony Newton,” she told jurors.[1]
Evidence included testimony from Malaperdas and Glass, who had already pleaded guilty to their roles. A piece of Molina’s tissue even surfaced in a storage bin at Newton’s stepfather’s home.
Multiple Trials Test the Justice System
The path to conviction proved arduous. Newton’s first full trial ended in a hung jury about a year ago. An earlier proceeding in November 2024 collapsed into a mistrial when a witness revealed to jurors that Newton had prior prison time.[1][3]
Defense attorneys Joshua Tomsheck and Thomas Ericsson argued a lack of forensic links, noting no fingerprints or DNA tied Newton to the apartment scene. Still, the third jury deliberated and returned guilty verdicts on all six counts after just days of testimony.[2]
Charges and Next Steps Outlined
Newton now stands convicted of:
- First-degree murder
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- First-degree kidnapping
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Robbery with a deadly weapon
- Conspiracy to commit robbery
Both sides agreed to drop the death penalty option before trial. Sentencing remains set for March, where Newton faces life without parole, life with parole eligibility, or 20 to 50 years in prison. Malaperdas and Glass await their own sentencings later this month after entering sealed guilty pleas.[1]
The case stemmed from more than mere jealousy. Prosecutors highlighted how Newton forced his wife to abort a pregnancy linked to the affair before targeting Molina. “Cesar Molina slept with Anthony’s wife, and Anthony Newton killed him for it,” stated prosecutor Bill Flinn in closing arguments.[2]
Key Takeaways
- Newton convicted after three trials marred by mistrials and deadlocks.
- Victim’s remains scattered across Las Vegas-area sites, including a mailbox.
- Co-defendants Malaperdas and Glass testified after pleading guilty.
This verdict brings closure to Molina’s family after years of waiting, underscoring the persistence required in high-stakes murder prosecutions. What are your thoughts on the case’s twists and turns? Share in the comments below.
