Nevada: 4 Teens Accused Of ‘Beating Classmate To Death’ Accept Plea Deal To Reduce Sentencing
Rancho High School. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
By Blake Wolf, OAN Staff Friday, August 2, 2024 5:15 p.m.
Lawyers reached a settlement with four boys accused of assaulting and killing a classmate, reducing the charges to voluntary manslaughter so the boys would not be tried as adults.
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“The plea represents a civil conviction and will be expunged from the defendants’ records when they turn 21,” NBC News reported.
The violent attack took place on November 1st.st The assault took place near Rancho High School in Las Vegas, which resulted in the tragic death of 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis.
Video of the attack showed the teens severely beating a defenseless Lewis until he lost consciousness, eventually causing his death a week later.
The investigation report also found that the students had agreed to fight in an alley “over e-cigarette pens and wireless headphones” that they had allegedly stolen from Lewis’ friend.
The video showed students and local residents carrying Lewis to campus, where school staff quickly called emergency medical services.
The plea agreement is contingent on all four teens agreeing to it, otherwise they will all be prosecuted as adults.
“This offer is contingent on everyone’s acceptance,” said District Attorney John Giordani.
Four men — Dontral Beaver, Damien Hernandez, Trevion Randolph and Gianni Robinson — were arrested on suspicion of Lewis’ murder.
Robinson’s lawyer spoke to reporters about the impact of the plea deal.
“This negotiation will allow my client to graduate from high school, move forward in life and become a productive citizen,” said Robinson’s attorney, Robert Draskovich.
Meanwhile, Melissa Reddy, the mother of the 17-year-old victim, detailed the whirlwind of emotions and “shock” she felt after hearing about the plea deal and reduced charges.
“I can’t jump [on] “They hit a man in the head and thought it would stop there and he would continue to live. They knew he was going to die, and I feel that way, and they get away with murder. They pleaded guilty to murder and were told it would be a maximum of two years in the adult system. I would have been totally against that deal. They should be held accountable as adults. They made an adult choice,” she said.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson responded in his own words to the victim’s mother’s comments, acknowledging “the pain that a mother is experiencing after losing her son.”
Wolfson added that juvenile courts are “best equipped to punish defendants for their heinous behavior” and also provide rehabilitative services.
BREAKING: Four Las Vegas “teenagers” accused of beating classmate Jonathan Lewis to death receive Sweetheart plea deal.
The adult murder charge is completely downgraded to juvenile manslaughter. There is no adult record.
🔥🚨BREAKING: The teenagers who beat 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis to suicide in Las Vegas will not be prosecuted as adults after agreeing to plead guilty to murder.
They were initially charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy.
