By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – A jury trial is set in early 2023 for a Moore teen accused of shooting to death a woman in south Yukon.
Javier Devonte Lewis, 19, faces the death penalty or life in prison in connection with a fatal April 2021 shooting in the 12000 block of S.W. 15th Terrace in Yukon. Oklahoma City Police investigated the incident since it occurred in Oklahoma City limits.
The trial is scheduled to start Jan. 9, 2023, before Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse. Call docket announcement is set Dec. 13.
Lewis was charged May 4, 2021, in Canadian County District Court with first-degree murder (deliberate intent), shooting with intent to kill, pattern of criminal offenses, and endangering others while eluding a police officer.
Lewis is accused of killing Emilia Koteen, 38, outside a home south of Interstate 40 near Yukon. Prosecutors allege Lewis caused Koteen’s death “with malice aforethought” by shooting her in the head with a handgun.
Oklahoma City Police responded at 12:43 a.m. April 19, 2021, to the fatal shooting south of Interstate 40.
Lewis allegedly shot and killed Koteen in her driveway after firing shots at another family member.
Investigators claim Lewis led police on a high-speed chase through Oklahoma City neighborhoods after committing the murder and assault.
While trying to evade capture, the defendant allegedly rammed a police car with his vehicle.
Canadian County Assistant District Attorney John Salmon is prosecuting the case.
Special Judge Khristan K. Strubhar previously found probable cause that Lewis committed the crimes.
The trial recently was moved from Dec. 5 to Jan. 9 at the defense’s request after a motion for continuance filed Oct. 19 in Canadian County District Court.
Lewis’ attorneys asked for more time to review the evidence and discovery materials, investigate the facts, and consult with witnesses and the defendant.
“The State has produced ample amount of discovery related to this case, including video and audio footage from numerous law enforcement officers, reports, statements, interviews, etc. which will require a thorough review by defense counsel,” according to the motion signed by attorneys Brenda Doroteo and Karla Tankut.
Lewis was one of about 100 clients appointed to the defense counsel on July 25 through the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, the attorneys noted.
Tankut agreed to “second chair” the case, replacing Jason Spanich.
Doroteo and Tankut also have been appointed to represent a defendant in another first-degree murder case set for trial Oct. 31.
WAIT, THERE’S MORE …
Lewis has been housed at the Canadian County Jail since being booked on the day of the fatal Yukon-area shooting more than 18 months ago.
Three other criminal cases are pending against Lewis for crimes he allegedly committed while in jail.
He was formally charged April 7 with first-degree arson for allegedly starting a fire March 27 at the Canadian County Jail, 304 N Evans.
The felony crime is punishable by up to 35 years in prison and/or a maximum $25,000 fine.
The El Reno Fire Department responded about 5 p.m. March 27 to extinguish the jail fire.
No inmates were hurt although one detention officer reportedly was Defendant Lewis also faces three assault and battery charges for attacks on fellow jail occupants reported May 11 and Sept. 6, 2021, and Feb. 14 this year.
All the court cases were originally on Canadian County District Judge Jack D. McCurdy’s docket but were moved to Judge Hesse’s calendar this fall.
That’s because McCurdy is retiring and will leave office Nov. 30 after 39 years in the legal profession, the last 15 as a judge.
