Share this @internewscast.com

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — Two defendants in a Jefferson County case, where a young woman was killed after a rock was thrown through her windshield, now face additional charges in connection with a separate alleged attack.

Brionna Boatright with the First District Attorney’s Office said defendants Joseph Koenig and Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik now both face an added charge of attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree assault. The charges were filed on Aug. 30.

The new charges stem from an incident on April 1, 2023, almost three weeks before Alexa Bartell, 20, of Arvada, was killed.

Affidavit: Rock-throwing suspects returned to JeffCo fatal crash to take photo

In the April 1 crime, somebody threw a statue head at a moving car in Arvada, the district attorney’s office said.

On April 19 between 10 and 10:35 p.m., seven vehicles were hit by rocks in northwestern Jefferson County, according to the sheriff’s office. Bartell was killed around 10:45 p.m. after a rock crashed into her windshield as she drove northbound on Indiana Street in Jefferson County.

The below timeline and map shows the reported incidents from that evening.

rock homicide map_Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

The three suspects, all 18-year-old high school seniors at the time, were arrested a week later on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, second-degree assault and attempted second-degree assault in connection with the series of crimes.
They allegedly drove by Bartell’s crashed vehicle to take a photo as a memento, an arrest affidavit reads.

The third defendant in this case, Zachary Kwak, was allegedly not involved in the April 1 incident.

In June, prosecutors said the three suspects were a flight risk and since they all live in affluent neighborhoods, their families could post a $1 million bond. They requested a $10 cash-only million bond. The defense argued for lower bonds for all three. First Judicial District Judge Christopher Zenisek set bond at $2 million cash-only for all three defendants after emotional pleas from Bartell’s family and partner.

They are set for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. on Friday.


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png

What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Four Teens Face Charges Following Intense Police Pursuit at Bourke Street Mall

Four teenagers have been charged over a dramatic police chase through Melbourne’s…

Confessions, DNA, and Grandpa’s Rifle: Judge Weighs In on Mounting Evidence in Charlie Kirk Shooting

Tyler Robinson’s appearance in court was via video from the Utah County…

Florida Teen Stages Own Kidnapping, Shoots Himself in Leg to Maintain Hoax

A Florida teen who claimed he’d been shot and abducted by four…

Melbourne Teacher’s Murderer Declines to Confront Victims’ Families in Court

A much-loved English teacher found a flatmate online and invited him to…

Suspect Kills Couple and Tosses Their Toddler into Pond After Woman Refuses to Leave Her Husband for Him

A Pennsylvania man who was accused of murder last month was officially…

Man Allegedly Poured Hot Water on Vulnerable Person, Police Report

Background: The building located on the 5300 block of South Rock Ridge…

Patient Faces Charges for Alleged Stabbing of Doctor in Sydney

A Sydney doctor has suffered serious injuries after allegedly being stabbed by…

Man Allegedly Killed Victim and Hid Body in His Dodge Charger, Police Say

Background: The 2700 block of West Airline Highway in Reserve, Louisiana (Google…

Hunter Biden Nears Victory Over Patrick Byrne

Left: Patrick Byrne, the former CEO of Overstock.com and supporter of ex-President…

Roommate Found Dead, Body Hidden in Carpet and Necktie

Left inset: Marvin Jean-Pierre (Broward County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Jose Mondelus…

Woman Allegedly Abducts Man and His Two Children After Offering Them a Ride: Police Report

Location: Intersection of Overton Crossing Street and Frayser Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee,…

Suspect in Grandmother’s Fatal Hit-and-Run Surrenders to Police

Background: Image from a surveillance camera shared by police showing the vehicle…