BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER IN THE BEATING DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIEND’S SEVEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 24 year old Bronx man has been convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s seven year old daughter "in a manner evincing a depraved indifference to human life."

Jason Lewis, of 653 Britton Street, pled guilty to one count of Murder in the 2nd degree in the death of Inez Bennett on November 21, 2001. Lewis’ admission that he had killed the child came after the first three prosecution witnesses had already taken the stand.

State Supreme Court Justice John Moore set sentencing for Wednesday, December 18, 2002 in Part JV. Under terms of the plea agreement, Lewis will be sentenced to a term of 20 years to life imprisonment.

Mr. Johnson said "life imprisonment is a most appropriate punishment in light of the brutal and senselessness nature of this crime against a vulnerable and defenseless child."

Medical evidence indicated that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and body as well as scalding on the victim’s entire right arm. Both of the little girl’s arms had been broken and shattered in numerous places and the impact of the blows to her head caused a subdural hemorrhage on the brain.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Robert Holdman and Stacey Finley.