The last of three friends involved in a tragic incident that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell in Colorado has been convicted of first-degree murder. Joseph Koenig, now 20, faced a jury trial after two of his companions accepted plea deals for lesser charges. The incident occurred in 2023 when the group was driving around suburban Denver, throwing rocks at passing vehicles. Bartell's car was struck, leading to her untimely demise, which prosecutors classified unequivocally as murder.
During the two-week trial, jurors were presented with conflicting accounts from the defendants regarding who threw the fatal rock. Chief Deputy District Attorney Katharine Decker argued that evidence linked Koenig, a left-handed driver, to the attack, positing that he threw the rock from the driver’s side window. She contended that even if the jurors were not convinced of his direct involvement, they should still convict him as a conspirator with his friends, Nicholas Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, who took deals to reduce their potential sentences.
The defense countered that while Koenig participated in the rock-throwing incident, it was actually Kwak who threw the rock that killed Bartell. His attorneys highlighted Koenig’s lack of awareness of the accident's severity until later, arguing that his borderline personality disorder affected his judgment and impulse control. They advocated for a manslaughter conviction instead of murder, claiming he had no intention to kill Bartell.
On April 19, 2023, after the rock struck Bartell’s car, the trio reportedly circled back several times to look at the scene without checking on her or alerting authorities. Bartell’s body was discovered later by her girlfriend, who traced her phone after their call abruptly ended during the incident. Notably, the only DNA on the rock that struck Bartell was hers, making the testimonies of Koenig's friends crucial to the prosecution's case.
After initially agreeing not to discuss the incident, Kwak later informed investigators that Koenig was responsible for throwing the lethal rock. Karol-Chik, who testified against Koenig, initially blamed Kwak but subsequently changed his statement, implicating Koenig instead. He described Koenig's demeanor during the incident, noting that he appeared "excited" and made celebratory sounds as they passed Bartell’s vehicle. Furthermore, Karol-Chik admitted to positioning the rock near Koenig, facilitating its throw.
In an attempt to challenge the reliability of the witnesses, Koenig's defense underscored discrepancies in their testimonies. For instance, Karol-Chik claimed they had all thrown about ten rocks each, while Kwak denied throwing any. The defense highlighted that Kwak did not accuse Koenig until a detective suggested he might be implicated himself.
Amid the proceedings, Kwak entered a plea deal, pleading guilty to first-degree assault in connection with Bartell's death, acknowledging that his actions had created a significant risk. He faces a potential prison sentence of 20 to 32 years. Similarly, Karol-Chik accepted a plea for second-degree murder and other related charges, facing a prison term of 35 to 72 years upon sentencing.
In summary, the case underscores the serious repercussions of reckless behavior among young individuals and the complex dynamics of group accountability in criminal acts. Following the jury’s decision, Koenig's sentencing is scheduled for June 3, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal response to this tragic incident.
