By USA Daily Now 
DENVER, CO — In a tragic case that has gripped the community, JOSEPH KOENIG, 20, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Friday for the death of ALEXA BARTELL, who was killed when a rock thrown by Koenig and his companions crashed through her windshield on April 19, 2023. The verdict followed a tumultuous trial where Koenig’s former co-defendants, ZACHARY KWAK and NICHOLAS KAROL-CHIK, turned against him after securing plea deals with prosecutors. Koenig was also convicted of attempted murder and other charges related to a series of rock-throwing attacks on vehicles in the weeks leading up to Bartell’s death.
Bartell’s family and friends, who were present in the courtroom, embraced and wept as the verdict was read. Her mother, KELLY BARTELL, expressed mixed emotions, stating, “It’s hard to be happy or feel satisfied that justice was served today, because I feel one amazing life was lost and three others are also lost and impacted.”
The case hinged on testimony from Kwak and Karol-Chik, who both implicated Koenig as the one who threw the deadly rock. Despite Koenig’s defense team arguing that Kwak was responsible, jurors sided with the prosecution’s narrative, which was bolstered by evidence that the damage to Bartell’s car was consistent with Koenig’s left-handed throwing style. Chief Deputy District Attorney KATHARINE DECKER emphasized that even if Koenig did not personally throw the rock, he was complicit as part of the conspiracy.
The defense highlighted Koenig’s borderline personality disorder, which they claimed impaired his impulse control and judgment. Martin Stuart, Koenig’s attorney, urged the jury to consider a lesser charge of manslaughter, arguing that his client did not intend to kill Bartell. However, jurors ultimately convicted Koenig of the more severe charge.
The night of the incident, the trio reportedly threw approximately 10 rocks at passing vehicles before the fatal strike. After Bartell’s car veered off the road, Kwak took a photo of the scene as a “memento” but failed to call for help. Bartell’s body was later discovered by her girlfriend, JENNA GRIGGS, who tracked her phone’s location after their call abruptly ended.
Kwak and Karol-Chik, who pleaded guilty to lesser charges, are expected to serve between 20 to 72 years in prison, respectively. Koenig faces a mandatory life sentence and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3.
SOURCES:
[Rock-Throwing Attacks Trial Verdict](https://www.example.com)
[Sentencing Details for Co-Defendants](https://www.example.com)
[Family Statement on Justice Served](https://www.example.com)