Semiah Lewis Testimony: What Happened the Day Sam Graham Jr. Was Killed — Annotated by Sam Graham Sr.
By Linda Richardson — Originally Published Oct. 15, 2025
⚠️ Content Warning:
This article contains graphic details related to violence and death. Reader discretion is advised.
This annotated version of the original news article focuses on the courtroom testimony of Semiah Lewis, who witnessed the events leading to the death of her boyfriend, Sam Graham Jr. The annotations, written by Sam’s father, Sam Graham Sr., provide additional context, clarification, and personal insight to help readers understand Semiah’s point of view and the circumstances she described in court. This piece forms part of an ongoing effort to share truth, promote transparency, and seek justice for Sam Graham Jr.
Semiah Lewis Testimony: Annotated Account of the Murder of Sam Graham Jr. — Commentary by His Father, Sam Graham Sr.
Read the detailed, annotated testimony of Semiah Lewis in the Sault Ste. Marie murder trial involving her brother, Montana Lewis, accused of killing 19-year-old Sam Graham Jr. This account, with commentary by Sam Graham Sr., sheds light on the love, tragedy, and pursuit of justice behind the case.
Testimony of Semiah Lewis
It started with a fistfight and ended with a young woman’s twin brother killing her boyfriend.
The fatal stabbing of Sam Graham Jr., 19, occurred outside a Muriel Drive home on Nov. 12, 2020.
His girlfriend, Semiah Lewis, who witnessed the attack, testified Friday at the first-degree murder trial of her brother.
Montana Lewis, 23, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Semiah and Sam—a young couple of three years, both Sault College students—were spending the afternoon together at her home after finishing their online classes.
It was around 3 p.m., and they were planning to go to a vape store, she told prosecutor Heidi Mitchell.
She went to Montana’s room and asked him for money because “he wanted some vape juice.”
“I can’t remember his exact response. I remember he was playing a video game and he (Montana) got angry. Montana raised his voice and I believe it was because he lost the game or I disturbed him.”
Semiah said she doesn’t remember exactly what he said, but it wasn’t kind.
(Sam’s note: This wasn’t the first time Montana verbally abused his sister. According to those who knew them, this kind of anger and language was common—part of a long pattern of emotional mistreatment toward Semiah.)
She added, “I was upset and don’t recall if I responded.”
At that point, Sam intervened.
“I remember him (Sammy) telling Montana not to speak to me that way—standing up for me.”
(Sam’s note: He stood up for her—again and again. They had been together three years, deeply in love. Sam was calm but protective, never aggressive, just unwilling to let anyone disrespect her.)
The argument began in the upstairs hallway, continued down the stairway, and lasted maybe five minutes.
Semiah said she doesn’t recall how it ended but remembers no physical contact on the stairs.
When they left for the vape store, Montana was still angry and called her names.
“Sam’s demeanor remained calm for most of the time, but I knew he was upset,” she said.
While driving, Semiah spoke with Montana via Snapchat on Sam’s behalf, acting as a go-between since Sam was driving.
During that exchange, Montana reportedly said, “He’s done the next time I see him.”
(Sam’s note: Other messages from that same half-hour reveal more chilling intent. Montana texted friends things like “It’s over, he’s done,” “I’m going to kill Sam — today’s the day,” and “Sorry Mom, Sam f**ed up and pushed me — it’s his day.” These messages show premeditation, not a sudden outburst.)*
Back home, Sam wanted to resolve things. “He really wanted to talk it out,” Semiah said.
“I’ll talk to you like a man if you’re going to be mature. If not — f*** off,” Sam texted, the court heard.
When they arrived, Montana was still furious.
“Almost immediately they were in each other’s faces,” Semiah said. “One of them said, ‘You need to apologize,’ and I believe it was my brother.”
Sam replied that he wasn’t going to apologize for standing up for her.
(Sam’s note: Again, he was defending her — nothing more.)
A fight broke out.
“They started punching each other,” Semiah recalled, “making their way along the hallway toward the bottom of the stairs that lead to the front door.”
She didn’t recall who threw the first punch but said she yelled for them to stop.
“They separated. Montana sat at the bottom of the stairs and Sam leaned against a chair near the front door.”
Her brother then ran upstairs.
“We exited through the side door, where Sam’s car was parked.”
(Sam’s note: For reasons unclear, they ran. Both Semiah and Montana testified that Sam held the side door shut. That’s crucial. It suggests Sam sensed danger — that Montana had said something or revealed the knife. Sam was protecting Semiah. He told her to get into the car and leave, but refused to leave without her.)
Moments later, Semiah said she saw Montana come out the front door, moving quickly—with a knife in his hand.
(Semiah later testified she could clearly see both Montana and Sam from her position near the corner of the house.)
“They came face to face. I saw a jabbing motion, and Sam tried to block it with his leg.”
(Sam’s note: The first stab entered the left side, another through his left arm, piercing muscle to the bone. The blade struck his spine from front to back. Forensic evidence confirmed both wounds required significant force. Neither Montana nor Semiah could recall when the arm wound occurred.)
“I felt frozen,” Semiah told the court. “The next thing I remember was seeing both of them on the ground and a knife nearby. Sam was bleeding from his left side, and I called 911.”
She began CPR when instructed by the operator.
(Sam’s note: The first stab was catastrophic. He was dying almost instantly — there was massive blood loss, pools of blood everywhere. When paramedics arrived, their description matched Semiah’s — Sam was already blue and grey.)
“I think I was calling his name, and there was no response,” she said.
(Semiah told me her last words to him were that she loved him and that he would be alright.)
See the original article in Soo Today HERE.
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