Three Denver-area teens participated in reckless behavior by throwing rocks at cars, culminating in a tragic incident that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell. On April 19, 2023, a 9-pound rock thrown from a vehicle crashed through her windshield, killing her instantly. Joseph Koenig, one of the teens, was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and other related crimes after two other participants, Zachary Kwak and Nicholas Karol-Chik, testified against him following plea deals.
During the trial, which lasted two weeks, jurors were presented with conflicting narratives. While Koenig’s defense argued that Kwak was responsible for throwing the fatal rock, the prosecution established that Koenig, who was driving and reportedly threw the rock in a “shotput-style,” was culpable. The rock bore only Bartell’s DNA, lending credence to the testimonies of his co-defendants. Koenig’s attorneys contended that he was unaware of the severity of the situation, as he did not know anyone was hurt until he saw Bartell’s vehicle go off the road.
Despite the defense’s claims about Koenig’s potential mental health issues, jurors found him guilty. Many emotions filled the courtroom as Bartell’s family expressed a complex sense of grief, noting that while justice was served, lives were irrevocably damaged. Kwak and Karol-Chik faced lesser charges in exchange for their testimonies, with potential sentences of 20-32 years and 35-72 years, respectively. Koenig is set for sentencing on June 3 and faces a mandatory life term for his convictions.
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