DENVER (KDVR) A judge sentenced Joseph Koenig to life without parole, marking the end of sentencing for three teens who threw rocks at oncoming cars, ultimately killing 20-year-old Alexa Bartell.
On Tuesday, a judge sentenced Koenig to life without parole with an additional 60 years after he was found guilty on 19 counts, one being first-degree murder.
- Count 1: life without parole
- Count 2: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6)
- Count 3: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6)
- Count 4: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6)
- Count 5: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6)
- Count 6: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6)
- Count 7: 120 days in jail, time served, concurrent to all other counts.
- Counts 8-10: 364 days in jail, time served, concurrent to all other counts.
- Counts 11-13, 15, 18, 19: 120 days in jail, time served, concurrent to all other counts.
- Count 14: 10 years (consecutive to counts 2-6)
- Counts 16-17: 3 years (concurrent to all other counts)
Teens throw rocks at cars, kill 20-year-old woman
This sentencing comes after three high school students were throwing landscaping rocks at passing cars in Jefferson County on the night of April 19, 2023. Bartell was driving by the teens when a rock went through her windshield, hitting her in the head and killing her.
Koenig was said to be the one driving and threw the deadly rock. The two other people in the car, Nicholas Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, took plea deals, pleading guilty to lesser charges in exchange for agreeing to testify at Koenig’s trial.
Karol-Chik was sentenced to 45 years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree and crime of violence. Meanwhile, Kwak received the maximum sentence of 32 years after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault and an added count of criminal attempt to commit assault.
Koenig went to trial, where the defense argued that while the three high schoolers caused Bartell’s death, evidence showed it wasn’t first-degree murder. Prosecution argued that Koenig made the choices that killed Bartell.
Bartell’s family, Koenig speaks at sentencing
Several family members spoke on Bartell’s behalf during the sentencing. Bartell’s mother spoke about arriving on the scene and was prevented from seeing her daughter because the injuries were so severe. Another family member said the first paramedic on the scene had to medically retire.
“The grief is overwhelming, the depression is soul-crushing and the fear is paralyzing. I now live my life in fear, afraid of losing someone else. I can’t go to sleep at night without my phone close by and the volume turned all the way up because I’m afraid of getting another call and needing to react immediately,” said one of Bartell’s cousins.
One of Bartell’s cousins said she was grateful for the charges, but “no form of justice will ever bring her back.” Bartell’s father said Koenig’s sentence wasn’t nearly enough, and if he had the option, he’d give Koenig the death penalty.
Koenig also spoke, apologizing to the family, addressing that it was his fault, and that nothing he can say will bring her back.
“Every day since she died, it is the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last thing that I think of when I go to sleep,” said Koenig.
During the sentencing, the defense asked the judge to sentence Koenig consistently with the other two, however, the judge ultimately said the jury believes Koenig threw the fatal rock and was more responsible than the others, and his sentencing needs to reflect that.
After sentencing Alexa’s mother said, “I’m glad this is over. We can now begin to heal. I think justice was served.”
Kelly Bartell said now is the time to work on forgiveness and honoring Alexa’s memory.
“She was amazing, and she loved everybody, and she loved God, and she believed in forgiveness and being kind, and we’ll carry that.” she said.
Bartell said the family is preparing for the possibility of an appeal.
