Attorneys for the 23-year-old man accused of stabbing five people to death at a Denver bar want to know how prosecutors decided to seek the death penalty against their client and not three other people linked to the case.
Dexter Lewis faces 16 counts in the in October 2012. Lewis appeared in Denver District Court on Tuesday where attorneys argued dozens of motions concerning everything from evidence to juror cellphones in the courtroom.
But Lewis’ attorneys repeatedly asked about the decision to seek the death penalty against Lewis, and why plea agreements were offered to his co-defendants and no charges were filed against a fourth man who told police he was in the bar when the stabbings began.
Prosecutors announced they were against Lewis in July.
On Tuesday, defense attorneys asked Denver District Court Judge John Madden to order prosecutors to provide them with details about plea negotiations for Lewis’ co-defendants, brothers Lynell and Joseph Hill.
in July, pleading guilty and agreeing to testify against Lewis.
They will avoid the death penalty when sentenced Friday.
The defense is also seeking information about Demarea Harris, who was an informant for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on an unrelated investigation when the killings occurred.
Harris told police that the Hill brothers and Lewis ordered the victims to lie on the floor and give them their wallets, according to a search warrant.
When one man refused, Harris told police Joseph Hill began stabbing him and soon after Lewis began stabbing people.
Lewis’ attorneys attempted to subpoena ATF agents involved in the case to learn why Harris has been “exempt” from charges, but Madden granted a request from the U.S. Attorney’s Office to quash those subpoenas.
Prosecutors also objected to a defense request asking them to clarify whether they believe Lewis was responsible for the deaths of all five victims.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794, jsteffen@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jsteffendp
