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September 30, 2023On August 16, 2019, Garon Lewis went to pick up his girlfriend and take her out on a date. While he was waiting in his car, he was shot in the head. Law enforcement found Garon's body in his still-running vehicle.
After a lengthy investigation, law enforcement determined that Garon was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. The investigation revealed that Bryson "Duke" Johnlewis and others mistakenly believed that Garon was a rival gang member and that they conspired to kill him based on that mistaken belief. The evidence showed that Johnlewis armed himself with a handgun and ambushed Garon.Johnlewis was charged with principal to second degree murder, conspiracy to commit second degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm.
After a five-day trial, the defendant was found guilty as charged of all three counts.
A sentencing hearing is set before the Honorable Anthony Thibodeaux on January 24, 2024.
The mandatory sentence for principal to second degree murder is life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The potential sentence for conspiracy to commit second degree murder is up to thirty years at hard labor. The potential sentence for felon in possession of a firearm is not less than five nor more than twenty years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
Mr. Duhe says, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lewis family. The loss of a child in such a senseless manner is unconscionable. Please keep the Lewis family in your prayers."
The investigation was handled by New Iberia Police Department with scientific analysis by the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory.
Assistant District Attorney Alister Charrier and Assistant Attorney General Daniel Smart prosecuted the case. Mr. Duhe would particularly like to thank Attorney General Jeff Landry for the assistance of Mr. Smart in this matter.
