The files also reportedly allege that Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik, and Zachary Kwak, all 18, met up the day after the murder to coordinate their stories and become “blood brothers,” vowing not to speak of the attack to anyone, per NBC News.
Damaged car.NBC News/Youtube
According to an April 26release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Bartell was killed when the “rock was thrown through her windshield as she was driving northbound in the 10600 block of Indiana Street at approximately 10:45 p.m.”
Alexa Bartell.Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; NBC News/Youtube
While authorities do not currently know who was driving a black 2016 Chevy Silverado connected to the rock-throwing all three of the suspects are believed to have taken part. They have since been arrested and are “currently facing charges of First Degree Murder, Extreme Indifference,” continued the release.
On Thursday, Koenig, Karol-Chik, and Kwak appeared before First Judicial District Judge Mark M. Randall in Jefferson County Court via Zoom and did not enter pleas, perCNN. They will return to court on May 3, according to the court docket.
Alexa Bartell.Jeffco Sheriff/Twitter
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“It just doesn’t feel real,” Bartell’s former high school classmate Emily Audette toldFox 31about the tragedy. “She was always just someone you could go to about anything, someone you could always talk to. She was just friends with everybody and made everybody laugh.”
The sheriff’s office said “mobile device forensics” and tips from the public helped lead to the swift arrests.
“This week’s recognition of Crime Victims' Rights reminds us of the courage and resilience of crime victims, including the Bartell family,” the release states. “They are our motivation.”
source: people.com
