Portland Man Sentenced to 48 Years for 2022 Hit-and-Run Murder of Girlfriend

Raymond Lester was convicted for the murder of Nicole Mokeme, who organized a retreat for Black individuals at Acadia National Park.

Raymond Lester, 37, was sentenced to 48 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Nicole Mokeme, during a retreat at Acadia National Park in June 2022.
Lester fled the scene after the incident, with his journey taking him through several states before his arrest in Cancun, Mexico, about a month later.
Witnesses described Lester's behavior as abusive and erratic in the days leading up to Mokeme's death, including driving dangerously close to attendees.
Nicole Mokeme served as the creative director of Rise and Shine Youth Retreat and was organizing the Black Excellence Retreat 2022 at the time of her death.
Mokeme's family and friends expressed their loss and the impact of her death on the community, with her brother stating that Lester's actions affected many lives.