COLUMBUS, Ohio — A judge declared a mistrial today in the case of a man accused of fatally shooting his identical twin brother after a juror suffered a death in the family.
Judge Guy Reece of Franklin County Common Pleas Court dismissed the jury at the request of attorneys for defendant Derris Lewis. Prosecutors did not object.
Lewis, 19, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping in the 2008 death of his brother Dennis in a robbery at their mother’s house.
If convicted, he could have faced up to life in prison. Lewis remained in jail today.
The mistrial was another twist in a case that has shocked the community since Dennis Lewis was killed at home early on the morning of Jan. 18, 2008.
His mother told police three to five masked men entered the home, held her at gunpoint, then beat and shot Dennis when he tried to fight back.
Prosecutors allege that Dennis Lewis died in a fight with his brother, possibly over money Dennis was saving for a car. Police have said they believe Derris Lewis acted alone but haven’t provided a motive.
Both brothers, high school seniors at the time, were active in sports, band and theater. Friends, family and teachers described them as best friends, like peas in a pod. Derris gave interviews shortly after his brother’s death saying he forgave Dennis’ killer.
Derris was arrested a few weeks after the killing.
Prosecutors said fingerprints and a bloody palm print belonging to Derris Lewis linked him to the crime. They also implied he returned to the home days later and pretended to find $283 in cash in an envelope in his brother’s bedroom.
Police have said they thoroughly searched the home the day of the shooting and never saw such an envelope.
The defense says Derris Lewis was asleep at his apartment miles from the slaying, and three witnesses testified he was home at the time.
The defense also identified an alternate suspect and said police had not ruled out the suspect’s gun as the murder weapon.
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