2005 — May 21, Arson Fire, House during child birthday Sleepover, Cleveland, OH– 9

–9  Associated Press. “Man Indicted in House Fire That Killed 9,” Oct 1, 2008.

–9  AP. “Nine killed in Cleveland house fire.” Sandusky Register, OH, 5-22-2005, p. A7.

–9  Cleveland.com (Cory Shaffer). “Antun Lewis: is 35 year enough  for nine lives?” 6-24-2014.

 

Narrative Information

 

May 22, 2005: “A fire broke out at a crowded house during a children’s sleepover early Saturday, killing seven kids and two adults [actually, nine children], the fire department said. The fire was so hot it scorched the frame of the home jet black and forced back neighbors who rushed in to help. Eleven people were in the house when the blaze started about 3 a.m., and at least one child was there for a sleepover….” (Associated Press/Thomas J. Sheeran. “Nine killed in Cleveland house fire.” Sandusky Register, OH, Sunday, May 22, 2005, p. A7.)

 

Oct 1, 2008: “Cleveland — A federal grand jury indicted a man Wednesday in a 2005 house fire that killed nine people, including children at a birthday sleepover. Antun Lewis was charged with setting the May 21, 2005, house fire in an eastside neighborhood that outraged residents around the city. Someone broke into Carter’s rented home and doused her living room with gasoline, lit a match and ran.

 

“Friends and family of the victims had expressed frustration with the slow pace of the investigation by federal, county and city authorities….Federal prosecutors planned a news conference later Wednesday.

The victims “were found on the second floor of the 2½-story, 99-year-old home located in a poor neighborhood about 3 miles from downtown. All died of smoke inhalation.

 

“Lewis was previously convicted on unrelated state charges, according to the indictment.”  (Associated Press. “Man Indicted in House Fire That Killed 9,” Oct 1, 2008.)

 

June 24, 2014: “Cleveland, Ohio – The Friday sentencing of Antun Lewis, the man twice convicted of being the city’s deadliest arsonist, may not have quieted the years of controversy surrounding the case….Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. sentenced Lewis to 35 years in federal prison after a second jury convicted him of setting the 2005 fire that killed eight children and an adult at a sleepover….

 

“The crime and the time. The city awoke to shock May 21, 2005, as news reports relayed tragedy. A sleepover on East 87th Street erupted in flames, leaving nine people dead including: Fakih Jones, 7; Shauntavia Mitchell, 12; Maleeya Williams, 12; Miles Golden Cockfield, 13; Earnest Tate Jr., 13; Antwon Jackson Jr., 14; Moses Williams Jr., 14; Devonte Carter, 15; and Medeia Carter, 33.

 

“It was the single deadliest arson incident in Cleveland history. Investigators later determined someone broke into the apartment, doused the first floor in gasoline and lit the apartment on fire.

 

“Even though police gave Lewis a polygraph test 10 days after the blaze, it took investigators more than three years to secure an indictment, as community outrage continued to build….

 

“The original case against Lewis hinged on testimony from informants who said Lewis confessed to the crime in Cuyahoga County Jail, and a man who said he was the getaway driver….

 

“A jury convicted Lewis in February 2011, but the judge never handed down a sentence. [Judge] Oliver tossed the conviction a year later citing that the case relied on the testimony of ‘unreliable witnesses.’ Oliver’s ruling said that while a jury reversal is rare, ‘it would be a miscarriage of justice for this verdict to stand, as it rests predominantly on the testimony of witnesses who were impeached or stood to gain from testifying.’ In throwing out the conviction, Oliver referred to himself as ‘the 13th juror.’….

 

“Maybe the most controversial issue is the sentencing. Oliver sentenced Lewis to 35 years in prison for killing 9 people – less than four years for each murder Lewis was convicted of committing. Prosecutors originally asked for the death penalty, but Lewis was deemed mentally unfit for the death penalty. Instead, they sought life in prison, and Lewis’ defense attorneys asked for 20 years….” (Cleveland.com (Cory Shaffer). “Antun Lewis: is 35 year enough  for nine lives?” 6-24-2014.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Man Indicted in House Fire That Killed 9,” 10-1-2008.  Accessed at:  http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2008/oct/01/-cmh_2008_10_01_0021-ar-6887/

 

Associated Press (Thomas J. Sheeran). “Nine killed in Cleveland house fire.” Sandusky Register, OH, 5-22-2005, p. A7. Accessed 9-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=229267445&sterm=fire+cleveland+children

 

Cleveland.com (Cory Shaffer). “Antun Lewis: is 35 year enough  for nine lives?” 6-24-2014. Accessed 9-27-2015: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/06/antun_lewis_convicted_arsonist.html