Charges Dropped Against Teen Accused In Twin's Murder

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Officials announced Thursday they will dismiss all charges against a teenager accused of killing his twin brother.

The Franklin County prosecutor's office requested Judge Guy Reece to dismiss all charges against Derris Lewis in connection with the home invasion murder of his twin brother, Dennis Lewis in January 2008.

Dennis was found dead after a home invasion and shooting at a home on Loretta Avenue that he shared with the twins' mother. Derris was arrested on Feb. 13, 2008 and charged with two counts of kidnapping, one count of aggravated murder and two counts of aggravated robbery.

The case went to trial, but during deliberations, a mistrial was declared because of a death in the family of a juror.

His re-trial was rescheduled for August 2009.

Much of the prosecution's case during the trial centered on what police identified as a bloody palm print on a wall at the murder scene. The print was found on the east wall of the north bedroom in the home. Police conducted further testing at the request of the prosecutor’s office on the slab of drywall where the print was found.

The palm print impression tested negative for the presence of human blood.

Investigators said the palm print was in fact the palm print of Derris Lewis that must have been placed on the wall at some unknown time prior to the homicide.

For that reason, officials said, all charges will be dismissed.

The prosecutor's office hired an independent expert to investigate the palm print.

The tests revealed that the print contained animal protein, which could have come from something as simple as a greasy hamburger.

Columbus police issued a statement late Thursday afternoon, stating that they are in agreement with the prosecutor's decision to drop all charges against Derris.

Police said an internal review of the case will be conducted and homicide detectives will continue to investigate the murder of Dennis Lewis.

Police said they have no suspects at this time.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 614-645-4730.

The attack happened just after midnight on Jan. 18 in the Lewis home on Loretta Avenue.

The twins' mother, April Lewis, was asleep on a couch in the front room of her house -- the only place she could lie comfortably because of her multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.

Dennis was asleep in the next room with the door shut. Derris had moved out a few weeks earlier and was staying with his girlfriend at her sister's house in a different part of the city.

April says several men wearing black masks, white shirts and white sneakers entered the house, put a gun to her head, demanded money and asked who else was in the house.

"They started throwing pillows and stuff, looking for money. There wasn't no money. I'm on welfare. I'm on Social Security," April said. "My son was in the other room and he saved me. They kept saying, 'Where's the money, where's the money,' with a .45 up to my head. I couldn't do nothing but be still. God say, 'Be still,' and I was, but my son started fighting them."

April said one of the men kicked Dennis' bedroom door in and began struggling with the 17-year-old, beating him with the leg of a bar stool. She heard someone yelling, "He's too strong," then the sound of a gun going off.

April has long-defended Derris, saying he was not at the home the night of the murder and wouldn't hurt his brother.

The family says there was no forced entry and the robbers did not take $235 in cash in an envelope in Dennis' room. Dennis was saving the money for a trip to visit Florida State University, where he planned to go to college.

The twins grew up without their father, who left when they were two years old.

The boys followed each other through school. At East High School, Dennis played the trombone in the marching band; Derris is the lead drum major. Teachers called them two peas in a pod.

They both ran track, played volleyball and tennis. In the fall of 2007, Derris played the wizard in the school's production of "The Wiz." Dennis played the scarecrow. Both were head cashiers at a Giant Eagle grocery store.

The two sang the gospel song "I Told the Storm" at a ninth-grade talent contest. Derris sang the song at his brother's funeral with their cousin.

After Dennis died, Derris moved in with his sister so he could help care for his mother.

Before his arrest, Derris tutored other boys and had plans to attend The Ohio State University.

If convicted, Derris could have faced life in prison.

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