Westmont man pleads guilty in fatal stabbing

A former Westmont man today admitted fatally stabbing a neighbor during a dispute in their apartment parking lot.

Lewis J. Watson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges. He faces probation or four to 20 years in prison when sentenced next month.

Prosecutors originally charged Watson, 35, with first-degree murder in the Sept. 10, 2005, stabbing of Paulius Liandsbergas on the 6000 block of Vail Drive. Liandsbergas, 22, died three days later from a single stab wound, which punctured his heart and a lung.

The fatal encounter began when an armed Watson left his apartment to investigate an argument he overheard involving some friends in the parking lot, prosecutor Michael Pawl said. The two men did not know each other, but they exchanged words that night.

Authorities said Watson stabbed Liandsbergas, in front of several witnesses, then returned to his apartment. Police arrested him shortly later. Pawl said Watson provided police with a videotaped confession and admitted hiding the murder weapon under some leaves. Police recovered the knife.

DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell had scheduled the murder trial for March 11.

Watson would have argued he stabbed Liandsbergas in self defense, said his attorney, Tony Coco, a senior assistant public defender. Some witnesses reported Liandsbergas came at Watson; a second discarded knife also was found on the scene. Authorities are not sure to whom it belonged.

Watson is being held on a $2 million bond in the DuPage County jail. Judge Creswell may sentence him March 11. Watson will be eligible for parole after serving half of whatever sentence she imposes.