Skip to Content

Sentencing For Palm Springs Gang Member Delayed

A Palm Springs gang member convicted in the fatal beating and robbery of a 66-year-old security guard had his sentencing delayed today until next Thursday.

Jerrett Lewis, 20, faces life in prison without parole for the June 9, 2007, attack on Bower Security Co. guard Wallace “Danny” Brown near Rosa Parks Road and El Dorado Boulevard.

Lewis was a juvenile at the time of the crime and cannot be given the death penalty.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge James Hawkins delayed the sentencing until Thursday because Lewis’ attorney, Jose Rojo, was out of town handling another case.

A second co-defendant, Jamar Thomas, 21, was previously convicted of first-degree murder. A jury declined to recommend a death sentence for Thomas, who was sentenced last month to life in prison without parole.

Another co-defendant, 21-year-old Darius Lee, was acquitted of all charges last week, and murder and other charges were previously dismissed against 20-year-old Akil Williams due to insufficient evidence.

Deputy District Attorney Manny Bustamante has said the victim’s attackers were Gateway Posse Crips gang members who snuck up on Brown’s van, which was parked at a construction site in northern Palm Springs.

The prosecutor alleged that Lee and Williams acted as lookouts as Lewis and Thomas hurled rocks at the van, shattering the windows, before pulling the guard from the vehicle and beating him for his wallet and cell phone.

Brown, a 66-year-old retired Marine, died at a hospital three days after being attacked, without regaining consciousness.

Rojo said his client did not have any prior contacts with law enforcement before the attack and never admitted to being a member of the Gateway Posse Crips.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

KESQ News Team

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content