Firehouse.Com News
A Houston jury Tuesday convicted three teenagers of felony murder in the
deaths of two Houston firefighters in February.
Kim Smith
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Lewis Mayo III
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Firefighter Lewis Mayo III, a 19-year-veteran, and Firefighter
Kimberly Smith, on the job since 1995, were both part of the
first due fire attack team assigned to Engine 76 at a McDonald's restaurant fire in
the early morning hours of Feb. 14.
They veterans were killed when a roof collapsed, causing
the pair to become disoriented and separated from their officer. They died from
smoke inhalation.
Allen Gerome Davis, 17, and brothers Pedro Isreal Loredo, 19, and Juan
Manuel Torres, 17 were charged the day after the fire with felony murder and arson.
The three teens admitted breaking into the darkened McDonald's early Feb. 14,
armed with a cutting torches, a key and a safe code allegedly provided by an assistant
manager. They claimed they left empty-handed, but
prosecutors presented evidence that showed they the teens went
on a spending spree after the restaurant burned.
Lawyers for Davis and Loredo suggested during the trial that Torres
set the fire intentionally out of anger that that three didn't make
the big score they anticipated. Torres' attorney implied the blaze was
accidental.
Prosecutors argued that the three burned the building to cover their tracks.
The jury deliberated for several hours on Friday before recessing for the holiday
weekend. After a few more hours of discussion on Tuesday, the verdict
was announced at about 3 p.m., officials said.
There was little reaction to the verdicts in the courtroom Tuesday, and State District
Judge Mary Lou Keel had prohibited participants from publicly commenting on the trial until it is over.
Testimony in their punishment phase began Tuesday afternoon and was expected
to take several days. The trio could face life in prison on the charges.
A 16-year-old McDonald's night manager and another man accused of helping the three plan the break-in are awaiting trial.
Felony murder charges were levied rather than
capital -- which could have resulted in the death penalty in Texas -- because
Mayo and Smith died as a result of felony being committed, rather than being
direct targets.
Mayo was the father of three children ages 13 to 23. He was a soccer coach for his
daughter's team and owned a lawn business on his off days.
Smith was a Combat Challenge veteran who was actively involved in her community.
"Kimberly loved being a firefighter," Smith's sister, Suzette told Firehouse.Com earlier this year.
"She was a dedicated and loyal member of your fraternity,"
News2Houston and The Associated Press
contributed to this report
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