Charges pending in four 2007 homicide cases

In 2007, Monroe County police agencies investigated four homicide cases involving five victims, an increase from two in 2006.

And last year's homicides involved a wide variety of individuals, from the teenager accused of stabbing her mother's boyfriend to the two bodies found in barrels.

Deputy prosecutor Bob Miller said he thinks the cases will be resolved in 2008, with investigations continuing into the Jerry Pelfree case. Pelfree is the man accused of killing two men and stuffing their bodies into barrels. Monroe County sheriff's deputies discovered the bodies in September.

Charges have yet to be filed against Troy D. Harden, who told police about the bodies. According to police, Harden helped Pelfree hide the bodies of Douglas Allen Brown and Everett Lynn Shaw. Harden is currently in jail on unrelated charges.

"It's still under review in terms of what he's going to be charged with," Miller said of Harden. "He is going to be charged. We just have not made a decision yet on what that's going to be."

Pelfree's next scheduled court appearance is Jan. 17.

The death of Michael Lewis

No decision has been made on whether a teenager charged with stabbing Michael Lewis will be tried as an adult.

The 15-year-old girl is accused of stabbing Lewis as he attempted to leave his girlfriend's home. According to police reports, the 15-year-old and her twin sister followed Lewis as he left. He was pushed to the ground and stabbed once in the chest.

"That is scheduled to proceed to a waiver hearing in juvenile court in February," deputy prosecutor Bob Miller said, explaining that a request for a psychiatric evaluation caused the delay.

For the family of Michael Lewis, the prospect of a trial and reports from the teen's supporters that Lewis was abusive have made the last six months difficult. Shirley Lewis, the victim's mother, said she still struggles with coming to terms with her son's death. She even purchased a birthday cake to mark what would have been her son's 39th birthday.

"We're all still stunned about it," she said. "I just can't believe it."

Tina Bowers, Michael Lewis' sister, called her brother fun and crazy.

"We seen him hanging from the doorway by his toes," she said.

Bowers said her brother's relationship with the twin girls was difficult. She said the teens lacked respect for her brother which resulted in a number of disagreements. But during the arguments, Bowers said her brother had a habit of leaving the home when things got too heated.

"And every time my brother and them would have a disagreement, he would call me," Bowers said.

She said her brother who often ask her to come and pick him up. Despite the distance from Bowers' Greene County home, she would make the trip.

"That night that this happened, I know my brother well," Bowers said. "He walked out the door. He was going to sit in his car, and he would have either called me or just sat in his car. That's the way he'd always done it."

Bowers said her brother was often around other kids and was never accused of hitting any of them. "He was a loving guy, and there was no way that he would abuse those girls," Bowers said. "He was not an abuser."

Making the crime more difficult is the fact that the Lewis family is related to the twins. Shirley Lewis is an aunt to the teen.

Reports from the teen's supporters have portrayed Michael Lewis as an abuser who physically and mentally hurt the teen. Despite concerns that the case may stay in juvenile court, it is the abuse accusations that concern Shirley Lewis the most.

"Dragging his name through the mud is what I'm more or less worried about because they'd be lying if they did," she said. "I love the girls, don't get me wrong. They're my nieces, but if she done the crime, she should pay for it."

Minnie Robinson, another of Michael Lewis' sisters, said the twins knew how to push her brother's buttons. She also hopes the teen will be tried as an adult. Robinson said it was her brother's habit of leaving the home when things got out of hand. Since the teen followed him out the door and stabbed him in the parking lot, she believes the teen knew what she was doing and should be tried as an adult.

"I'm always going to be sad about my brother," Robinson said. "I'm sure there's going to be a lot of lies brought up. We wasn't with them 24-7 so we really don't know what goes on. He always wanted to leave whenever they started in on him."

Michael Lewis' family said that no matter the punishment, nothing will bring their loved one back.

"He was such a loving person and I miss him so much," Shirley Lewis said. "We all do."

Despite the belief that last year's homicide cases will be resolved this year, Miller said he thinks the Lewis death and the other cases will go to trial.

"Given the circumstances and the types of charges, it';s unlikely we would enter into a plea agreement at any time," Miller said. "The chances are greater that they would end up being tried."

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Charges pending in four 2007 homicide cases