Joseph Koenig Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Rock-Throwing Incident That Killed Alexa Bartell in Colorado.

In a recent legal proceeding in Jefferson County, Colorado, Joseph Koenig was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Alexa Bartell. The incident, which occurred on April 19, 2023, involved Koenig throwing a rock through the windshield of Bartell’s moving vehicle, resulting in her death. The jury delivered the verdict after deliberations that began on Thursday and concluded less than two hours after resuming on Friday morning.

Koenig, who is now 20 years old, faced a total of 19 criminal charges. These included nine counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly throwing rocks at other vehicles, three counts of second-degree assault, and six counts of attempted second-degree assault. The jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges, although some were downgraded to lesser offenses.

The case took a significant turn when the other young men involved in the incident reached agreements with prosecutors and testified against Koenig. This cooperation was pivotal in the jury’s decision to convict Koenig of first-degree murder. The incident not only led to Bartell’s tragic death but also highlighted a pattern of dangerous behavior, as Koenig was also convicted of attempted murder and other offenses related to similar incidents in the weeks leading up to Bartell’s death.

The verdict marks the conclusion of a case that has drawn attention to the serious consequences of reckless actions. It underscores the legal system’s response to such behavior and the importance of accountability in the face of tragic outcomes.