LIVE: SC v. Craig Lewis, Day 3 Closings | Burned Alive Murder Trial

[@CourtTV]

*TRIAL NOTES:* 00:00:00 SC v. Craig Lewis 00:18:54 ON THE RECORD - Judge Dukes 00:22:30 Outside jury’s presence - Jury instruction issue 00:36:54 Jury Enters 00:38:20 State’s closing argument - Asst. Solicitor Hunter Swanson 00:54:45 Defense closing argument - Margie Bright Matthews 01:52:35 State’s final argument - Asst. Solicitor Hunter Swanson 01:57:37 OJP - Closing Objections 02:03:24 JURY CHARGE 02:37:13 OJP 02:44:04 Jury Deliberations Begin 04:33:54 VERDICT #CourtTV DId the jury get it right? MORE HERE: www.courttv.com/news/sc-v-craig-lewis-burned-alive-murder-trial/?

[@stacyamaral4334]

The jury did great. They didn’t even bring a fire expert, the prosecution was weak.

[@robinsnest7627]

Too many people are obsessed with how a person looks. STOP! Listen to the facts, or lack there of. Was he abusive, so the daughter says. Unless there were reports, or about calls made we don’t know. Why didn’t the police ask neighbors about the Lewis household? We don’t don’t know. This man has been declared innocent. His lawyer did a fantastic job. The jury had no doubts either.

[@kaylas_diaries5058]

I swear that most of you people just believe whatever the state says and yall don’t actually follow the evidence 🤦‍♀️🙄

[@BlessedMomfmTexas]

best Statement I've seen. ( PREACH))) I say this all the time!! I watch all trials across ALL platforms. And so many people believe The DA's & Law enforcement. Because their suppose to be the Good guys, however it's really switching. The state, in this case, dropped the ball big time. And evedince. The defense lady is Fire 🔥. She's good. I also called this case Not Guilty. And what do you know, he was found not Guilty. I'm not saying he's innocent but the state Dropped this entire case!! So he walks.

[@tiffanybooth9979]

I watch plenty of murder trials and I had doubts about the state all along. The defense attorney was fantastic!!!

[@juliereid2901]

The daughter hurt the case. She was not credible.

[@deemcnalley8677]

His defense attorney is fantastic.

[@stacyamaral4334]

I’d hire her.

[@lydibug51]

She's a Rockstar

[@jackie_byfaith]

I would hire her in a blink! She was amazing ❤

[@BaddieRNurse]

I’m still watching it weeks later! She did an amazing job! I hope she sees how much we loved her presentation! ❤💯

[@niroweera6704]

I’m embarrassed for the prosecutor. Why would she even agree to prosecute this with no credible evidence?

[@melissa_a]

I agree with this verdict. The state did not prove anything. In my opinion, the daughter was just interested in getting his money.

[@pamelastevens1609]

I don't believe the daughter was "the villian" in this. I try not to clap like a seal at any bs the defense spews, because she put a lot out there that was gossip at best (complete lies at worst) along with unnecessary information I don't think she needed to dredge up under guise of protecting her client. The state had nothing. Zip. Zero. I'm not sure why that man was even arrested. I believe the daughter did see an argument the night before and wanted to mention it to someone and the nurse was approachable so she ran it by her. Then a bunch of police descended on Craig and arrested him on the weight of her info and whatever they saw (?). No one investigated much and anything from Terry (which I don't think was much) got thrown out on hearsay. The state continued with the case anyway and left Leigh Ann up there as a human sacrifice. No one properly investgated her claim, which is what she wanted, and left her there all by herself. It wasn't fair to Leigh Ann or Craig.

[@Sueprises]

Shame on the state for even bringing this to trial. Defense attorney was FANTASTIC. Congratulations to Mr. Craig Lewis on his Not Guilty verdicts. I pray he is able to put his life back together. Between this and Delphi, the state is really bad at deciding who to put on trial.

[@PamMcLaughlin-g3x]

G This case was a first for me where I agreed with the defense.

[@sinead187]

It is most upsetting that the prosecution was not able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

[@CC-xn5xi]

Terry told police he raped, beat, and set her on fire. That's all they need to know! Why isn't he in prison?

[@joelsommer5765]

Yea, whether people think, or even the jury thinks, that he is guilty, that doesn't matter. What you think doesn't matter in the end. It has to be proven. And you only get one chance so the State better have all the proof ready before they take it to trial. It's how it works. It's how it's supposed to be.

[@RuthStanfield]

Amazing defence attorney. Queen❤

[@patrickbuildsit]

The jury got it right…based on the lack of evidence collected by investigators and the case the prosecution presented. It’s their burden.

[@itsunbeweavable2656]

Prosecution sounds like Leanne's defense lawyer😂 Really enjoyed the defense presentation great job

[@karimahoney5708]

I have never seen a more inept prosecution by the State! 😢

[@lauraingram6535]

Seems like Leanne had something against Craig and was trying to get him in trouble.

[@loribollinger2457]

Not guilty? Took the couch and dumped it,took her burned clothes off,didn’t call 911,was cleaning up ,resisted against police,domestic violence the night before witnessed by daughter,the couch burned on the left side where she always sat,it goes on and on and he is set free,wow I disagree !

[@frenzyviz6296]

Me too

[@doloresleyva8810]

But the prosecution had the duty to prove those specific traits of the case without any reasonable doubt. The defense brought up doubts in many aspects of the prosecutions allegations. Allegations unproven cannot convict. Law inforcements actions and lack of convincing documented strong evidence was a factor that lured this case towards the defense. The prosecution didn't prove their case. The jury got it right according to what was presented to them in court. The Man looks defeated, sad and never showed emotions to show he was guilty. It is a very sad case as a disabled woman lost her life but she lost her life not from what he was accused of but by her decline which looked like she had negligent care in the care home she was in. The care home was at fault for her demise.

[@loribollinger2457]

When you add up all the senecios,it can give just cause that he is guilty? He did this no doubt ,it’s so obvious,but I am no attorney it just doesn’t seem right !may she RIP,and condolences to the family🙏🏼

[@Alaurienzo]

The defense did an impeccable job and I was convinced he was not guilty on day 1. The state did horrible, from opening to closing.

[@julessimplelife]

Good job jury. I didn’t think he was guilty.

[@sarahcummings61274]

I watched this trial from beginning to end. I don’t even understand how the DA took this case on. Such a lack of evidence and everything is based on what the daughter is saying.

[@BaddieRNurse]

Exactly and the daughter can careless about her momma she wanted the money! Follow the money was the perfect saying because that’s exactly what I did and it showed she wanted the money. Leann was bitter that her childhood crush was with her mother and not her.

[@BSBORDERS]

great defenese, great tactic good closings, good job done!

[@denisei7929]

this was an interesting trial. Not sure how I feel about his guilt or innocence but I'll tell you that young gentleman having his first case amazing. The attorney he was working under amazing. The prosecution she was not very good she didn't do her due diligence

[@nonicosio]

very inept prosecutors; you never put such a poor couple together.... insane

[@reneebaugher3090]

I love this defense shes a fighter amazing work well done

[@deweyseymour4268]

good defense team

[@gt43025]

I thought the pic was Elon Musk at first 😅😂

[@ednanieves4858]

This judge was excellent giving instructions.

[@mamabear_00]

He sure got away with murder.

[@BlessedMomfmTexas]

That's on the State!! They didn't do their job. And then try to believe the daughter and you lose big time.

[@user-ez4nb4cb4o]

Yeap!

[@nancygibson5769]

I bet, you didn’t watch any of the trial!🤡

[@Browneyegirl4-t7t]

The jury got it right

[@cat441]

only thing that got him off was the wife saying she was lighting the fire and it blew back said to the doctor in the ER

[@Browneyegirl4-t7t]

Not true..state didn't prove there case

[@BaddieRNurse]

And if the wife said that’s what happened herself then why did they turn that around and charge him with murder you can’t change what a person said out of their own mouth! He’s not guilty!

[@makeupqueen130]

Jury got it right.

[@ayandabekwa1463]

I also didn’t believe that he was guilty. Fantastic defence team!

[@funkfunkable]

Ok so his wife was on fire and he moved a couch outside??

[@Marcela-t7z]

This is one of those cases that really made me think, he was innocent. I think the jury got it right.

[@BlessedMomfmTexas]

The wife died 10 months after this situation. WAKE UP FOLKS. THE STATE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING ON HIM.... THE Proscuter isn't very good at All...

[@Iamlilcoop]

If he wanted her dead why wouldn’t he just finish what he started instead of bringing her to the hospital? Terrible job proving this case by the state… is he guilty? Maybe, but they definitely didn’t prove it without reasonable doubt.

[@CC-xn5xi]

He didn't call 911.

[@Iamlilcoop]

@ but he brought her to the hospital cause he lives a few min away. and the doctor literally says it wasn’t old. Fresh burns.

[@BlessedMomfmTexas]

Not Guilty came from the Proscuter not having any evidence and the Daughter lying. Like defense attorney said, follow the money.

[@BaddieRNurse]

Yup! Follow the money! Leann was after the money!!

[@heatherfraccica7814]

His facial expression said he couldn’t believe he actually got away with it.

[@doloresleyva8810]

I see a defeated soul from being dragged into a murder trial when he is obviously still grieving his wife. He never looked like he was sitting there as a defendant that wanted to get away with it. His defense attorneys proved his innocence by a the holes in the prosecutions case.

[@nancygibson5769]

So, you’re a facial expert? You can’t judge on facial expressions!

[@BaddieRNurse]

No he looks like somebody that was falsely accused and wasn’t even able to spend his time with his wife during her last days because all the police and prosecutors was out for was a pound of flesh like Mrs. Matthews said smh

[@pnw_mainecoons6633]

I agree with the jury Not guilty why because of what his wife aka victim in this case , what she said to the police hospital staff and others that she did this to herself using lighter fluid to start her wood stove they didn't prove he did anything malicious or arson but he was a horrible husband Also Fantastic defense attorney

[@averyd1019]

As much as I tend to lean with the state in a lot of cases, this one was so clearly full of reasonable doubt. Accuracy in reporting is so important and hopefully the implementation of body cameras on cops will help this issue when there’s laziness with reporting. Also how do you not test evidence??? So many questions with how the state handled this one

[@BaddieRNurse]

That’s what I said I’m like how did they not test that evidence especially the couch they was so hell bent on mentioning smh and like Mrs. Matthews said why testify to it and they didn’t even test it. Wow.

[@lydibug51]

Im wondering if the victim ever told anyone that he did this to her? She was alive for 10 months after this incident. She was getting better and did she ever say anything to the contrary?

[@niroweera6704]

Exactly! When she was “lucid” as the daughter claimed she was for a while, why didn’t she let the Sheriff know, so that a detective could have come to the hospital and gotten a statement from the victim?

[@pamelastevens1609]

​@@niroweera6704 The prosecution said they did get a statement from her. It was found inadmissible because she died - the statement became hearsay as she couldn't testify to it. I guess it wasn't strong enough evidence to be considered a dying declaration or the prosecution was just screwed over. That's why she was so angry at one of the defense's statements in her closing - she asked why the investigators never got a statement all the while knowing they had one and she rendered it inadmissible.

[@BaddieRNurse]

When she first came in she all that needed to be said and she said she got caught on fire trying to light the burn pit or whatever it was she was lighting. She has dementia and other health issue so I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what happened.

[@Cologal60]

Obviously no one on the jury has ever been in an abusive relationship. Lucky for him.

[@joelsommer5765]

Even if they did, it wasn't proven beyond a reasonable doubt. She had literally told the doctor a different story. That means the case is jumbled. You can't send someone to prison like that. You just can't. The prosecution should have brought a better case before taking it to trial. One that proves it beyond a reasonable doubt. You only get one chance to prove it.

[@BaddieRNurse]

I’ve been in one and I didn’t think he was guilty! I’m a nurse and what the patient stated the patient stated it’s no twisting it around smh

[@SuperUsed2]

The jury got it right.

[@IamAmericasDaughter]

I will be in amazed that he is found guilty with this week prosecution from the state.

[@shellsoon]

I feel insane, not guilty?????

[@Iamlilcoop]

They didn’t have enough evidence at all. It shouldn’t have even went to trial. I’m not saying he’s not guilty, but to put someone a way for the rest of their life you need more than what they showed..

[@CC-xn5xi]

​@@IamlilcoopThe victim statement!

[@pamelastevens1609]

​@@Iamlilcoop Exactly

[@TraceyMurphy-c2y]

I watch lots of trials and Craig presents himself as just a good ole humble country man to me. The defense was jam up!! Congratulations Craig and go live your life! Suck it up Leanne😂

[@bryantconley1971]

I saw this and first thing I thought was he looks like a strung out Elon Musk

[@BlessedMomfmTexas]

THIS DEFENSE ATTORNEY IS REALLY, REALLY GOOD!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@BaddieRNurse]

Yes! I admire her I’ve been listening to her closing arguments over and over she did a fantastic job!

[@WillieGreig-yq6gj]

The way Americans say Craig is hilarious. It's pronounced Crayg Not creg

[@PowderPuff_]

I didn’t watch this trial closely, but if he didn’t do it. Who did?

[@melissa_a]

It was an accident. She was lighting the fire and it blew back on her.

[@PowderPuff_]

@@melissa_a Thank you so much, how very tragic.

[@KohalaLover]

@@melissa_a Yet it says she was beaten and ra^^ped in addition to being on fire.

[@melissa_a]

@@KohalaLoverso says the daughter. No police report of that nor evidence of the victim ever saying that.

[@summerl3786]

@@melissa_a actually the victim did tell the police that, but that evidence was kept out due to hearsay

[@alicebas377]

is this closing statements or the academy awards ceremony??? ' I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY ON EARTH, LE ME NAME THEM..." STFU........................... GUILTY

[@karenwilliams3882]

ROFLMAO He is so guilty

[@reneejohnson4361]

😮A Monster just walked out Free!

[@louanngarza]

I think he's guilty and got away with it

[@tarlandburke272]

Exactly

[@troyboy4645]

Hes a nice not guilty man

[@joelsommer5765]

​@@louanngarzait can't go off of "I think". It has to go off of "I know cause I can prove". And no one did that. The Law in United States works that way.

[@pamelastevens1609]

I am certain that the jury came to the correct conclusion. It could have been nothing else but not guilty. I am surprised it went to trial. It would have never gone to trial in a federal case. It's not because his his defense lawyer was so "spectacular" and its not because the prosecution was inept, though it really shouldnt have gone to trial. Yes, the defense attorney is solid and has been around the block a few times. She's a very competent defense attorney and the new guy, after he got rid of an understandable case of nerves initially, did well, too. Especially for his first time. The defense attorney, however, really didnt need to go where she went. An abortion? Oh, I'll take that back. She knew what she was doing. As soon as it's out of the bag, you really can't unhear it, even though the daughter gave a resounding "no." This defense attorney is the exact type of attorney who would ask a rape victim how short her skirt was and not have any guilt about doing it. The daughter was dealing with her mother, who had been horribly burned and burn victims go through so much. They have good days and bad days. I believe she'd vary between lucidity one day and be completely gone the next - particularly with her mental health challenges. I dont think she cared about a couple of thousand dollars here or there - her whole life changed over night, you've got people in your ear telling you you have to do this and that and she wasnt a financial wiz - not everyone is. She was trying to do what her mom wanted. I dont think she was after $, and the defense attorney didn't have to try to make her the villain. There was absolutely no evidence against her client. At all. I believe the daughter saw an argument roughly as described. Then, a terrible accident happened later on, which led the daughter to be suspicious. I don't understand how or why he was arrested on the weight of that. An investigation could have been conducted without that man's arrest. Something happened with the lead agent in the case. I don't know what, but things sat too long, and something screwed everything up. ALSO, mom was alive for 10 months. If she agreed completely that Craig did this, a dying declaration video could have possibly been made. Instead, whatever statement she made probably wasn't what the daughter said, but they did try to use it, the defense attorney was able to get it thrown out as heresy because she's dead. Not the state's fault. Most anything usable got tossed. There was no investigation, at least one that found anything. This should have NEVER gone to trial. I dont think he killed her. I think they had a fight, were discussing it and her emotions led to a horrible accident and he brought her to the hospital as fast as he could except no conscious 63 year old woman is going to the hospital naked, even if it doesn't make sense. When Craig was told she was going to Atlanta, he rushed home and had a friend take the couch out so their house wouldn't burn down and was scrambling to go to Atlanta when the police came. Life is messy.. Terry, Craig and the daughter have all been through Hell. Rip Terry and I hope nothing but the best for Craig and the daughter moving forward.

[@terryhardee6396]

Are they done for today?

[@carolinep1035]

So sad. Theme seems to be “makes no sense”. The “ball was dropped” by a lot of people in this case sadly for Terry’s family perhaps. Karma to Craig.

[@giorgialanci7649]

Another case of horrible police work.

[@holz_name]

I hope Craig will be found guilty of murder. According to the statement from her, her clothes caught fire because she had some fluid on her and the wind blew the fire back into her. This doesn't make sense. Then why was she naked? Where are her burned clothes? After she got lit on fire by "accident", Craig stripped her naked and put new clothes on her, and washed her feet. Do that sounds like he "rushed" her to the hospital? Then he gets back to his house and destroys the crime scene. He tries to get rid of the couch, he got rid of her burned clothes.

[@BlessedMomfmTexas]

Huh???? He was found Not Guilty. The state had no evidence on him at all.....

[@BlessedMomfmTexas]

Umm, Some of what ur saying isn't true... Stop believing everything Proscuter/ State say. It's absurd.

[@CrazyBluEyes]

Seems to me the prosecution needed to bring a case whether the man was guilty or not to get their monthly quota. Hmm 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@niviab.8680]

still here

[@CC-xn5xi]

Terry told police what he did to her. Doesn't that matter?

[@BaddieRNurse]

Terry also said she burned herself. Doesn’t that matter ?

[@brbrknndy]

If I had a spouse that caught on fire with severe burns I would immediately put him in a cold bath water to alleviate the pain and then call the ambulance. That's what common sense would dictate. I can't imagine putting clothes on those type burns and driving to the hospital that way. Additionally you would have to wait to be seen. If you took the ambulance you would get seen immediately as well as getting there faster. That would more than make up for the time waiting for the ambulance. Additionally she would be able to get pure oxygen to breath.

[@craigmack-cv3cp]

When a person in shock common sense goes out the window 🪟. It’s easy to judge what you think other people might do under duress , I submit to you that’s impossible 😮

[@brbrknndy]

@@craigmack-cv3cp Most people would know by experience that putting water on a burn soothes it. The wife didn't want to get him in trouble and because she told the authorities that it happened from her doing it was impossible to prosecute.

[@loveforeignaccents]

Cool -- never cold -- water.

[@jackie_byfaith]

@@craigmack-cv3cpi came here to say this! Thank you🙌 I would have screamed my head off for 15 minutes trying to figure out what to do.

[@pamelastevens1609]

She was smoldering in extreme pain - quite possibly with all her clothes burnt off standing there in the buff. I'm certain she insisted on clothes and not everyone is a KZbin emergency medical expert. Some people have never had any training or schooling on emergencies plus the panic factor. Listen to a handful of 911 calls and see the range of backgrounds and experiences out of any population. There are small children, people with very low IQs, drug addicts, 80+ year old callers and people so freaked out they can't speak properly. Not everyone is going to have experience and commonsense - they are going to do what they think they should do, and that varies greatly.

[@drewdickerson8400]

My God did Casper the friendly ghost commit this crime lol

[@jackie_byfaith]

The stenographer in the background looks miserable.😂

[@lindahansen2237]

Omg

[@charlyshay1013]

Whether he 's the one that lit her on fire or she accidentally caught herself on fire, the fact remains that he neglected to get her medical help as soon as possible. He changed his clothes. He changed her clothes. Failure to act makes him just as guilty of murder. He wanted her to suffer. He's diabolical. The state urged the jury to "use their common sense" and obviously they don't have any.

[@MissyRichardson-l1x]

He got away with murder

[@BaddieRNurse]

Even tho Terry said out of her own mouth it was an accident. Ok