Judge Tosses Torture Charges Against Suspect in Hoopa Roadside Killing Case; Murder, Conspiracy Charges Remain
Judge Kaleb Cockrum has dismissed the special-circumstance charge of torture against murder suspect Bronson Moon Lewis Jr., but denied a defense motion to toss out counts of murder, mayhem, conspiracy and weapons violations.
Lewis.
At a hearing this morning, Cockrum also granted defense attorney Russ Clanton’s motion to unseal a search warrant in the case. The warrant pertains to calls the 18-year-old Lewis placed or received while in Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he has been for six months. Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm has been monitoring the calls and gathering information, including admissions Lewis reportedly made during the conversations.
Defense Attorney Asks Judge to Throw Out Charges Against One of Two Teenagers Accused in Roadside Murder Near Hoopa
Defense attorney Russ Clanton has filed a motion to dismiss the case against Bronson Moon Lewis Jr., one of two men accused of the grisly murder of Hoopa resident Julian “Jules” Tripp in July.
Clanton also filed a motion to unseal a law enforcement search warrant used in the case. Attorneys are scheduled to meet privately with Judge Kaleb Cockrum this afternoon to discuss that motion.
Lewis.
Lewis, 18, and Daniel Armendariz, 19, are accused of killing the 42-year-old Tripp during an altercation on HIghway 96 between Hoopa and Weitchpec. According to witnesses during Lewis’s preliminary hearing, Tripp was first stabbed and left lying down a bank near the roadside. Then, Lewis allegedly went to Hoopa and picked up an assault rifle, which he used to finish Tripp off.