One teen is facing murder charges.
Three teenagers from the Denver area spent a night throwing rocks at passing cars, which tragically resulted in the death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell when a 9-pound rock crashed through her windshield. Joseph Koenig, now 20, was convicted of first-degree murder for her death, after his two friends, Zachary Kwak and Nicholas Karol-Chik, testified against him as part of plea agreements. In addition to murder, Koenig was found guilty of attempted murder and other charges related to similar incidents that night and in earlier weeks. Bartell’s family expressed a mix of relief and sorrow following the verdict, acknowledging that while justice was served, multiple young lives were forever altered.
During the trial, jurors were presented with conflicting accounts from Koenig’s former friends. While Koenig’s defense argued that Kwak threw the fatal rock, prosecutors pointed to physical evidence and testimony suggesting that Koenig, who is left-handed, threw the rock out of the driver’s window. Prosecutors emphasized that even if jurors weren’t convinced Koenig personally threw the rock, his participation in the conspiracy was enough for a first-degree murder conviction. Defense attorneys countered that Koenig had no intent to kill and cited his diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.
Testimony revealed that after Bartell’s car left the road, the teens circled back to the scene, took photos, but made no attempt to help her or call emergency services. Bartell’s girlfriend eventually located her by tracking her phone. Initially, all three teens agreed to remain silent, but Kwak later identified Koenig as the one who threw the rock. Karol-Chik, who first blamed Kwak, eventually changed his story and corroborated Kwak’s account, also describing Koenig’s apparent excitement after the rock hit Bartell’s vehicle.
Both Kwak and Karol-Chik accepted plea deals for lesser charges and await sentencing. Kwak faces a potential 20 to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to assault charges, while Karol-Chik, who pled guilty to second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, faces between 35 and 72 years. Koenig’s sentencing is set for June 3, where he faces a mandatory life sentence without parole.
