## Teenager Convicted of Murder in Deadly Rock-Throwing Incident
A Denver-area teenager has been found guilty of first-degree murder following a night of reckless rock-throwing that tragically resulted in the death of a woman. Joseph Koenig, now 20, received the verdict on Friday after a trial complicated by conflicting accounts from his former companions.
The case stems from an incident on April 19, 2023, when Koenig and two other young men – Zachary Kwak and Nicholas Karol-Chik – engaged in throwing rocks at vehicles. Tragically, one of the stones, a nine-pound landscaping rock sourced from a Walmart parking lot, shattered Alexa Bartell’s windshield, causing her immediate death.
Following Koenig’s conviction, he also received guilty verdicts for attempted murder and other related offenses stemming from the night’s events and previous incidents involving thrown objects. Kwak and Karol-Chik reached plea agreements with prosecutors and testified against Koenig as part of their deals.
A Family’s Grief and a Search for Justice
The courtroom erupted in emotion after the verdict, with Bartell’s family and friends embracing and weeping. Her mother, Kelly Bartell, expressed complex feelings about the outcome.
“It’s hard to be happy or feel satisfied that justice was served today, because I feel one amazing life was lost and three others are also lost and impacted,” she stated.
Conflicting Testimony and a Fatal Throw
The trial hinged on deciphering shifting narratives offered by Koenig’s former co-defendants. While there was no dispute that the landscaping rock penetrated Bartell’s windshield, the central question remained: who threw it?
- DNA evidence found on the rock belonged solely to Alexa Bartell.
- Kwak and Karol-Chik both ultimately testified that Koenig had thrown the fatal stone.
- Karol-Chik initially blamed Kwak before recanting his statement.
Prosecutors, led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Katharine Decker, argued that the physical evidence – Koenig’s left-handedness and position behind the wheel – aligned with Karol-Chik’s testimony of Koenig throwing the rock in a “shotput-style” motion.
Defense Arguments & Aftermath
Koenig’s legal team contended he was unaware anyone had been harmed until Bartell’s car veered off the road. They also presented evidence suggesting Koenig suffered from borderline personality disorder, impacting his impulse control and judgment. His attorneys urged jurors to consider a manslaughter conviction instead.
After witnessing Bartell’s vehicle leave the roadway, the three friends reportedly circled back several times to observe the scene. Kwak took a photograph of the car as a “memento,” but none offered assistance or contacted authorities.
Bartell’s girlfriend, Jenna Griggs, ultimately located her body after tracking her phone when communication abruptly ended during a phone call.
A Pact of Silence and Broken Trust
Initially, the three young men agreed not to discuss the incident with anyone. However, Kwak, the newest member of the group, eventually confessed to investigators that Koenig had thrown the rock. Karol-Chik, who described Koenig as a “brother,” initially pointed fingers at Kwak before shifting his blame towards Koenig. He even admitted placing the rock near Koenig to facilitate its throwing.
Karol-Chik recalled Koenig appearing “excited” during their drive and making a celebratory noise when they passed Bartell’s car.
Plea Deals & Sentencing
Kwak pleaded guilty in May 2024 to first-degree assault, acknowledging actions that created a grave risk of death, along with other related charges. He faces a potential prison sentence of 20 to 32 years.
A week later, Karol-Chik pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and committing a crime of violence, as well as attempted first-degree murder for targeting nine individuals that night and earlier in 2023. He could face between 35 and 72 years in prison when he is sentenced.
Koenig faces a mandatory life sentence upon his sentencing on June 3rd.
