By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Two Canadian County inmates – already in jail for murder in separate cases – face new felony charges for allegedly assaulting another inmate.
Yukon’s George Lorenz Way, 22, and Moore’s Javier Devonte Lewis, 18, were formally charged Nov. 4 with aggravated assault and battery in Canadian County District Court.
Way and Lewis are both being held without bond on first-degree murder charges at the Canadian County Jail, 304 N Evans in El Reno.
Prosecutors charged the defendants again in connection with an incident reported Sept. 6 at the county’s detention center.
Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey alleges Way and Lewis “while acting in concert” struck Francisco Moya-Acedo of Tucson, Ariz. “multiple times” with “force and violence”, causing various injuries.
The victim was “attacked and beaten” by Way and Lewis inside a cell at the county jail, according to a probable cause affidavit signed by jail administrator Kristie Carter.
Detention officers removed Moya-Acedo from the cell and he was taken to the emergency room at the El Reno hospital for treatment of a head injury, contusions to his face and left rib, a compression fracture of the thoracic vertebrae, and acute back pain.
Both Way and Lewis admitted to the assault “during video visitations with family” the same day that were viewed by Maj. Carter, according to the affidavit.
In an interview with the sheriff’s deputy, Way allegedly admitted hitting the victim but claimed it was self-defense.
The aggravated assault and battery charge is punishable by up to five years in state prison or one year in the county jail and/or a maximum $500 fine.
ALREADY IN BIG TROUBLE
Both Way and Lewis already faced the death penalty or life in prison on first-degree murder charges in Canadian County.
The Canadian County District Attorney’s Office in September 2020 charged Way with first-degree murder and robbery with a weapon.
Way is accused of killing Laura Taylor, 30, on Sept. 3, 2020, in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven convenience store, 1601 S Mustang Road.
Way allegedly used a 9 mm Taurus handgun to shoot Taylor multiple times, causing the victim to suffer “certain mortal would” from which she died.
Way had used the gun to rob money from the store where Taylor worked as a clerk, according to court documents.
District court arraignment for Way is set Feb. 17, 2022, before Canadian County District Judge Jack D. McCurdy. His attorney is Kent Bridge.
Prosecutors this May charged Lewis with first-degree murder with deliberate intent and three other counts – shooting with intent to kill, pattern of criminal offenses and endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude police officers.
Lewis is accused of killing Emilia Koteen, 38, on April 19 in the driveway of a home in the 12000 block of S.W. 15th Terrace.
Lewis allegedly caused Koteen’s death “with malice aforethought” by shooting her in the head with a handgun.
After the shooting, Lewis allegedly led officers on a pursuit and rammed a police car with his vehicle before being arrested.
District court arraignment for Lewis is set Dec. 21 before Judge McCurdy. His attorneys are public defenders J.P. Hill and Sammy Duncan.
Oklahoma City Police investigated both first-degree murder cases, which occurred south of Interstate 40.
