Las Vegas Teens Accused in Student’s Murder Claim Self-Defense

Posted on: December 18, 2023, 08:33h. 

Last updated on: December 18, 2023, 03:07h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Four of the nine teenagers who allegedly participated in the fatal attack on a Las Vegas high school student say they acted in self-defense.

Jonathan Lewis
Jonathan Lewis, pictured above. Lewis was killed by a gang of teens in Las Vegas. (Image: X)

The victim, rather than the defendants, threw the first punch in the fight, which took place in an alley near the Rancho High School campus, attorneys in the case claimed last week. Attorneys also claimed the murder victim’s friend was armed with a knife, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

The deadly kicking and beating of Jonathan Lewis Jr., 17, on November 1 left him defenseless on the ground while the gang of students even stomped on his head, authorities said.

Lewis died after being treated in the intensive care unit at University Medical Center. He was on life support for days before his death. An autopsy revealed he died from blunt force trauma to his head and other parts of his body.”

Defendants to be Tried as Adults

A Las Vegas Justice Court judge hearing the case refused bail for the four defendants. They are Damien Hernandez, Gianni Robinson, Dontral Beaver, and Treavion Randolph. Each is charged with second-degree murder.

The defendants, all 16 or 17 years of age, are being held in juvenile detention facilities even though they will be tried in adult courts. Five other arrested juveniles could also be charged as adults. A tenth possible suspect could be arrested. Authorities said each of the 10 suspects attended Rancho High School.

The fatal beating began over stolen wireless headphones and possibly a vape pen, according to KLAS. A mob of teens stole the items from a younger kid and threw them into a trash can, USA Today reported.

Lewis chose to defend his smaller friend and soon was attacked.