Teen convicted of murder/Shooter in 1999 carjacking will spend rest

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 31, 2001 | by Bill Hethcock

A Colorado Springs teen-ager will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty Wednesday of shooting a Coronado High School student in a carjacking attempt in Old Colorado City.

Andrew Medina, 17, wearing a blue T-shirt and baggy Tommy Hilfiger jeans, swallowed hard and cried when Judge Tom Kane read the verdict. His mother, seated behind him in the gallery, also wept.

Jurors convicted Medina of first-degree murder in the July 15, 1999, slaying of 17-year-old Kristopher Lohrmeyer, who died as he left his summer job at the Colorado City Creamery.

Medina was also convicted of attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and weapon possession by a juvenile.

"Justice has been done," said Dan Lohrmeyer, Kristopher's father. "This is one more thing we can put behind us."

Prosecutors believe Medina fired the shot that killed Lohrmeyer. They used testimony from co-defendants Michael Brown and Derrick Miller in Medina's trial. Medina and Miller were 15 at the time of the crime. Brown was 17. All three were charged as adults.

Brown and Miller pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery. Brown was sentenced to 70 years in prison and Miller was sentenced to 75.

Brown and Miller may become eligible for parole after serving about half their sentences, but Medina's first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory penalty of life without parole. He will be formally sentenced June 28.

In the hours after the crime, Brown and Miller both confessed to involvement but said Medina fired the .22-caliber bullet that went through an open car window, through a headrest and into the back of Lohrmeyer's head.

Both originally told police Miller's role was to stall Lohrmeyer by asking for a ride and Brown's job was to drive the car if they got Lohrmeyer's keys.

Miller told virtually the same story when he testified in court, but Brown changed his version, telling jurors that he fired the .22 pistol that killed Lohrmeyer.

Prosecutors said Brown was telling the truth the first time, when his story agreed with Miller's.

Defense attorneys pointed to the inconsistencies as evidence that neither teen could be trusted.

Prosecutor Dave Gilbert said the District Attorney's Office will review Brown's testimony and decide whether to attempt to punish him for allegedly lying to jurors. Prosecutors believe Brown lied because he feared returning to prison labeled as a snitch.

About half the jurors were convinced Medina was the triggerman, according to a juror who asked that her name not be used.

The others convicted Medina based on Colorado's felony murder law, which says willing participants in a crime ending in death are guilty of first-degree murder.

"It was very obvious he was guilty even if he didn't have possession of the gun," the juror said.

Defense lawyer Darren Cantor said Medina's conviction will be appealed.

One issue likely to be raised on appeal is a letter written by Medina and read to jurors by prosecutors, Cantor said.

While in jail awaiting trial, Medina wrote a letter to the Lohrmeyers apologizing and expressing guilt about the crime. The letter contains the statements, "I caused a huge, huge loss," and "for the rest of my life, I'm going to have to live with what I did."

Prosecutors said the letter amounts to a written confession to murder. Defense lawyers said Medina was apologizing because he could have stopped others from committing the crime but didn't.

Medina gave the letter to a previous defense attorney, who turned it over to the pastor of the Lohrmeyer's church. The pastor gave it to the Lohrmeyers, who turned it over to the District Attorney's Office. Cantor said jurors never should have seen the letter.

Lori Lohrmeyer, who wore a button with her son's smiling face, said it's important to keep Kris' memory and spirit.

"He had beautiful eyes and his smile could light up a room," she said.

According to trial testimony, Medina, Miller and Brown lived mostly on the streets, frequently used drugs and had strained relationships with their families.

- Bill Hethcock covers legal affairs and may be reached at 636- 0232 or hethcock@gazette.com