Probation terms set him free

THE JOHN who fatally shot a prostitute's pimp and common-law husband after a tryst in December 2009, walked free yesterday.

Kalif Lewis, 28, who was convicted Aug. 8 of two gun charges but acquitted of murder, was sentenced by Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina to two concurrent five-year probation terms, ordered to stay employed and to take parenting classes, and to pay court costs and fines.

Lewis, of 55th Street near Lansdowne Avenue, West Philadelphia, went to the Residence Inn near the airport to have sex with Shanet Foust, 31, after spotting her ad on Craiglist.

After paying her and leaving, he returned and accused her of stealing $100 from his wallet while he was washing up.

She used her cellphone to speed-dial her pimp and common-law husband, Tyre West, who burst through the hotel room door.

During a shoot-out, West, 28, was hit in the chest and died.

In rejecting the murder charge, the jury of five women and seven men apparently believed defense attorney Gerald Stein, who argued at trial that Lewis had acted in self-defense.