In Golden, Colorado, a jury delivered a verdict in a tragic case involving three teenagers from the Denver area who engaged in a reckless act of throwing rocks at vehicles. On Friday, the court found Joseph Koenig guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Alexa Bartell, who lost her life on April 19, 2023, when a rock crashed through her car windshield. The fatal incident occurred during a night when the trio recklessly hurled stones at passing cars after they had instigated each other. Koenig’s former companions testified against him, having agreed to plea deals with the prosecution. Besides the murder charge, the jury found Koenig, now 20, guilty of attempted murder and other lesser offenses related to similar incidents occurring on the night of Bartell’s death and earlier.
The courtroom scene was emotional, as Bartell’s family and friends embraced each other and shed tears upon hearing the verdict. Alexa’s mother, Kelly Bartell, expressed conflicted feelings, acknowledging that although justice had been served, there was still a sense of loss for the three young men’s futures, as well as the tragedy of her daughter’s untimely death.
During the trial, the jury faced the challenge of sifting through contrasting testimonies from Koenig’s co-defendants. There was unanimity that a 9-pound landscaping rock, sourced from a Walmart parking lot, had fatally struck Bartell, but the question of who actually threw the rock needed clarity. The only DNA evidence on the stone was Bartell’s, making the testimonies of Koenig’s accomplices, Zachary Kwak and Nicholas Karol-Chik, crucial for prosecutors. Koenig’s defense argued that Kwak was the one who threw the rock that resulted in Bartell’s death. However, both Kwak and Karol-Chik, who had negotiated plea deals resulting in lesser charges, accused Koenig of throwing the rock. Karol-Chik testified that each had thrown approximately ten rocks that evening, while Kwak claimed he did not throw any.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Katharine Decker presented evidence suggesting the damage to the car indicated that a left-handed Koenig, who was driving, threw the rock in a shotput-style manner through the driver’s side window, as articulated by Karol-Chik. Even if the jury doubted Koenig’s physical act of throwing, Decker argued Koenig should be considered guilty as a conspirator in the murder. Koenig’s legal team contended he was unaware of any injuries caused until Bartell’s vehicle left the road. They also highlighted his borderline personality disorder, suggesting it impaired his judgment and ability to control his impulses. Defense lawyer Martin Stuart encouraged the jurors to consider a manslaughter verdict instead, emphasizing that Koenig did not intentionally aim to kill Bartell. Despite this, the jury could have also found him guilty of manslaughter as a conspirator.
Testimonies revealed that after Bartell’s car went off the road, the trio returned to the scene multiple times without checking on the driver or calling for assistance. Kwak even snapped a photo as a souvenir. Bartell’s lifeless body was only discovered when her girlfriend, Jenna Griggs, tracked her phone after their conversation abruptly cut off.
Initially, the friends agreed to remain silent about the incident, but Kwak, who was a relative newcomer among the group, eventually disclosed to investigators that Koenig had thrown the rock. Karol-Chik, who likened Koenig to a “brother,” initially implicated Kwak before changing his account and accusing Koenig. He described Koenig as “excited” when driving past Bartell’s vehicle and making a celebratory noise. He also admitted placing the rock within Koenig’s reach.
The defense questioned the reliability of the co-defendant’s testimonies while maintaining that none of the trio intended to cause harm. After securing a plea agreement, Kwak pleaded guilty in May 2024 to first-degree assault and accepted consequences for second-degree assault, acknowledging his actions posed a serious risk of death. He faces a potential 20 to 32-year prison sentence. Karol-Chik subsequently entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and additional charges related to past offenses, potentially facing a prison term ranging from 35 to 72 years. His sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, followed by Kwak’s the next day. Koenig, on the other hand, awaits sentencing and confronts a mandatory life sentence for his murder conviction on June 3.