Appeals court determines Lewis conviction stands

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

LEWIS

Johnny Lewis will continue serving his 65-year sentence for his part in the 1999 Myers Lane triple murders as the state appeals court has shot down his appeal.

Lewis, 40, is serving the 65-year term after his convictions nearly two years ago on charges of aggravated arson and facilitation of murder. The convictions came for the deaths of Dianne Watts, 42, Jessica Watts, 10, and Chelsie Smith, 13. The victims were beaten to death in the Watts’ Myers Lane home in the summer of 1999. The house was then set on fire to cover the crime.

Prosecutors proved it was Lewis who was present at the time of the murder, and it was Lewis who set fire to the house following the crime. During a later trial, Lewis’ friend, Doug Myers, 42, was convicted on murder charges for killing the three victims. Myers was boyfriend of the elder Watts and apparently committed the crime to prevent Watts from informing law enforcement of his illegal activities. Myers’ mother, Clementine Myers faces murder conspiracy charges and will be tried Jan. 5.

In his appeal, Lewis maintained the trial court erred in several areas in its conduct of the trial including that there was insufficient evidence to convict him and that the court allowed hearsay testimony to be used against him. The defense also questioned the on-scene crime team investigation and maintained the 65-year sentence was excessive.

However, the appeals court upheld the rulings of Judge John Turnbull, directing Lewis to continue serving his sentence.

“We conclude the defendant’s issues are without merit and we confirm the convictions and sentence as imposed by the trial court,” the appellate court wrote.

The ruling likely ends Lewis’ appeal process unless he can convince the State Supreme Court to hear his case. However, the high court takes only a small number of cases each year, meaning chances are slim Lewis’ case will be heard by the tribunal.

Doug Myers’ case is still under review by the appeals court. Myers is serving life sentences for the slayings.

“We’re very pleased with the appeals court decision,” said District Attorney General Dale Potter. “The court found there were no errors made in the trial.”