In a devastating turn of events on April 19, 2023, three Colorado teenagers embarked on a reckless rock-throwing spree, causing havoc on the roads and leading to the untimely death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell near Denver.
Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik, and Zachary Kwak were the individuals behind the incident, hurling large rocks at passing vehicles, resulting in injuries to three individuals and the tragic loss of Bartell’s life.
Recently, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik made the difficult decision to plead guilty to several charges, including second-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder, and crime of violence.
Karol-Chik, seated in the front passenger’s seat that fateful night, handed Koenig the rock that ultimately struck Bartell’s car. As a consequence of his plea, the original 15 counts against Karol-Chik were dismissed.
Karol-Chik, Koenig, and Kwak, all 18-year-old high school seniors at the time, were apprehended approximately a week after the incident and faced charges of first-degree murder with extreme indifference.
Karol-Chik now faces a daunting prison sentence ranging from 35 to 72 years, with his sentencing scheduled for September 10. Additionally, Karol-Chik and Koenig were implicated in prior incidents involving the throwing of objects at drivers, exacerbating the severity of their actions.
In a separate development, Zachary Kwak accepted responsibility by pleading guilty to new charges, including first- and second-degree assault and criminal attempt to commit assault in the second degree. As a result of his plea, Kwak’s original charges were dropped, and he now faces a prison term of 20 to 32 years, with sentencing set for September 3.
Meanwhile, Joseph Koenig has opted to maintain his plea of not guilty, and his trial is slated to commence on July 19. The legal proceedings surrounding this tragic event underscore the sobering reality of reckless behavior and underscore the significance of accountability in the pursuit of justice.
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