Man Charged in Death of Cab Driver Served 2 1/2 Years in Earlier Fatal Stabbing

A man accused in the weekend stabbing death of a Las Vegas cab driver served less than three years in a California prison for another fatal stabbing, a prison official said.

William Lester Witter, 30, was convicted of assault with great bodily injury on April 4, 1986. He was given a five-year sentence but was released on parole on Nov. 1, 1988.

Even though the victim in the California stabbing died, an original murder charge against Witter was dismissed; he was convicted on an assault charge, authorities said.

He was arrested Sunday night in the stabbing death of cab driver James Cox and the knifing of his wife, Kathryn Cox.

Police said James Cox died trying to save his wife, who had just gotten off work at the Luxor Hotel and was attacked in a parking lot.

Keeton said Kathryn Cox walked to her car and found it would not start, then called her husband, a driver for Yellow Checker Star Cab.

She returned to her car and was attacked by a man with a knife. A few minutes later, Cox pulled his cab up next to his wife’s car and discovered the attacker and his partially clothed wife. A struggle ensued and Cox was killed.