Joseph Koenig convicted of first-degree murder in rock-throwing death of Alexa Bartell

Joseph Koenig, 20, was found guilty of first-degree murder and multiple other charges for the 2023 killing of Alexa Bartell, who died when a 9-pound rock was thrown through her windshield during a rock-throwing spree in Jefferson County, Colorado. Koenig, along with Nicholas Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, threw rocks at cars, with Bartell's death being the most severe outcome of several attacks that night. Both Karol-Chik and Kwak took plea deals for lesser charges and testified that Koenig, who was driving at high speed, threw the fatal rock, while Koenig's defense argued for manslaughter, citing his mental health and lack of intent. The jury deliberated for about a day before convicting Koenig, who faces life in prison without parole at his June 3 sentencing. The case highlighted the dangers of reckless teenage behavior escalating into deadly violence and the complexities of assigning responsibility among co-conspirators. The other two defendants are set to serve prison sentences as part of their plea agreements.