Delaware News


Department of Justice Prosecutors Secure Guilty Verdict in First Degree Murder Case

Criminal Division | Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Date Posted: Friday, January 15, 2016



Maurice Cruz-Webster, 21, of Wilmington, charged with the January 2015 killing of 23-year-old Kyrell Lewis in front of an Arbor Place home in New Castle, was found guilty of First Degree Murder, Reckless Endangering First Degree and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony by a New Castle County Superior Court jury this week.

Deputy Attorneys General James Kriner and Annemarie Puit prosecuted the case, leading to Cruz-Webster’s conviction.

Cruz-Webster and Lewis became involved in an argument outside of Lewis’s home on Parma Avenue on January 9, 2015, during which Cruz-Webster fired a handgun seven times, striking Lewis several times. Witnesses who heard and saw the argument called police. Lewis was taken to Christiana Hospital where he died as a result of the shooting.

“This verdict reinforces the importance of witnesses coming forward to help bring criminals to justice,” said Attorney General Matt Denn. “Thanks to eyewitness cooperation, and the outstanding work of our prosecutors and the New Castle County Police, a jury has brought justice to Kyrell Lewis’s family, and made our streets safer.”

When sentenced in March 11, 2016, Cruz-Webster faces a mandatory life sentence.

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Department of Justice Prosecutors Secure Guilty Verdict in First Degree Murder Case

Criminal Division | Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Date Posted: Friday, January 15, 2016



Maurice Cruz-Webster, 21, of Wilmington, charged with the January 2015 killing of 23-year-old Kyrell Lewis in front of an Arbor Place home in New Castle, was found guilty of First Degree Murder, Reckless Endangering First Degree and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony by a New Castle County Superior Court jury this week.

Deputy Attorneys General James Kriner and Annemarie Puit prosecuted the case, leading to Cruz-Webster’s conviction.

Cruz-Webster and Lewis became involved in an argument outside of Lewis’s home on Parma Avenue on January 9, 2015, during which Cruz-Webster fired a handgun seven times, striking Lewis several times. Witnesses who heard and saw the argument called police. Lewis was taken to Christiana Hospital where he died as a result of the shooting.

“This verdict reinforces the importance of witnesses coming forward to help bring criminals to justice,” said Attorney General Matt Denn. “Thanks to eyewitness cooperation, and the outstanding work of our prosecutors and the New Castle County Police, a jury has brought justice to Kyrell Lewis’s family, and made our streets safer.”

When sentenced in March 11, 2016, Cruz-Webster faces a mandatory life sentence.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.