Under cross-examination, Sillaman testified that he did not see Lewis buy the knives or give Sweeting any money. Earlier, Tony Williams, a long-time acquaintance of Lewis's, testified that he went to see Lewis at the store and that Lewis wrote his phone number on the back of the receipt. When the defense asked why Williams went to the police, he said he was afraid authorities might have thought he was involved and that the receipt proved that Lewis did not buy the knives. Williams also testified that one of the detectives made a derogatory remark about African-Americans during the questioning. If convicted, each could be sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors say the evidence clearly links the men to the crime.
This is the first case that Howard, an experienced trial lawyer, has tried since being elected district attorney in 1996. Howard said witnesses saw Lewis kick and punch the victims during the fight. My football career ain't gonna end like this. Jurors also heard that Lewis's blood was found in his hotel room along with the blood of Oakley and one of the victims. He did not kill or stab anyone' Edward Garland, Lewis's defense attorney, told jurors Tuesday that Lewis never fought with anyone and that he begged the others to stop fighting.