Fresno man who fatally stabbed his mother then set her house on fire sentenced

A Fresno man has been sentenced to 19-years-to-life for killing his mother then setting her house on fire to try and cover up the crime.

Winston Max Russell, 34, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and arson in the death of his mother Bethlyn Webster, a former Fresno State and Fresno City College adjunct English professor.

The 52-year-old Webster was found by firefighters responding to a blaze at her Peralta Avenue home in central Fresno on May 29, 2017.

Police said Russell stabbed his mother 11 times after getting into a violent argument with her. He set the house on fire to try and conceal what he had done.

Russell’s mental competency had been an issue and he initially was ruled not competent to stand trial in April 2018.

He was sent to the Atascadero State Hospital for treatment. In September 2018, he was determined to be competent and was returned to Fresno County to face the charges against him.

During Russell’s sentencing Monday, Judge Adolfo Corona said probation was not an option for Russell. Corona also said Russell had written him a “nice letter” but did not disclose what it said.

Fresno County senior deputy district attorney Deborah Miller said the victim’s family was supportive of the plea agreement for second-degree murder.

This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Fresno man who fatally stabbed his mother then set her house on fire sentenced."