A heart-wrenching family tragedy in Georgia has turned into a high-stakes courtroom drama.
In August 2022, a young girl, just four years old, lost her life after discovering a firearm in her family’s car.
Her mother, Kealin Lewis, now 29, faces severe charges, including second-degree murder, following the devastating incident that occurred while they were driving down I-85.
A Lawyer With a Bold Persona Steps In
In response to the charges, Lewis hired a flamboyant and experienced attorney, Jackie Patterson, who is widely known as “The Fly Lawyer.”
Patterson argued that the death was a tragic accident, not a criminal act, and filed a motion to have the second-degree murder charge dismissed.
Unfortunately for Lewis, the court denied this motion, maintaining the indictment.
“We’re certainly disappointed,” Patterson told the Daily Mail.
“In my 33 years of practice, this is the first time I’ve seen a prosecutor pursue a case like this.”
The Heart of the Legal Argument
Patterson emphasized that Georgia law does not criminalize accidents and argued that Lewis’s charges should be reduced to reckless conduct.
He also questioned the child cruelty accusations, pointing out that there was no evidence of intentional abuse.
“Where is the cruelty? Where is the physical act of committing cruelty to this child?” he demanded in court.
Addressing Lewis directly, Patterson expressed the lifelong impact of the incident: “Miss Lewis, your life has been turned upside down. You lost your baby girl, and nothing will ever bring her back.
She’s certainly regretful for her reckless conduct, but she is not guilty of murder. She’s going to have to live with this for the rest of her life.”
Prosecutors Stand Firm
The prosecution, represented by Assistant District Attorney Sarah Hilleren, maintained that the charges were appropriate, arguing that Lewis’s negligence allowed her daughter access to the gun.
“The criminal negligence caused cruel or excessive physical pain,” Hilleren stated.
Authorities also claimed that Lewis failed to perform CPR on Kendall, despite instructions from a 911 operator, further fueling the child cruelty charges.
Additionally, prosecutors raised questions about whether the shooting was truly accidental, noting inconsistencies in the evidence.
For instance, Lewis reportedly first believed the gunshot was a car malfunction and only realized the severity after seeing her daughter bleeding.
Family Dynamics Under Scrutiny
While Lewis had no prior criminal record, prosecutors previously alleged that family tensions—specifically violent arguments between Lewis and her boyfriend—may have played a role in the tragedy, with relatives reportedly seeking guardianship of Kendall.
Patterson firmly denied these claims, insisting that they had no bearing on the incident.
Trial Looms and the Road Ahead
Lewis’s case is expected to go to trial later this month, with Patterson expressing confidence in the outcome.
“I am absolutely confident that we will win this case, and the jury will side with us,” he told the Daily Mail.
If convicted, Lewis faces up to 30 years in prison, leaving her to grapple with a devastating loss and a long legal battle ahead.
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