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Defense Finishes Closing Arguments In Dexter Lewis' Death Penalty Trial

DENVER (CBS4) - Defense attorneys wrapped up their arguments in the second phase in Denver's death penalty case Thursday morning.

Dexter Lewis, 25, faces death after the jury convicted him of the first-degree murders of five people. Those victims were in Fero's Bar and Grill on Colorado Boulevard and Evans Avenue in October, 2012. Lewis and three other men went into the bar to rob them.

The defense laid out what are called mitigating factors. They urged the jury to consider Lewis' traumatic childhood before deciding whether he deserves to die.

The defendant's lawyers laid out example after example of physical and verbal abuse toward Lewis as a child and teen. They talked about how he was surrounded by a family that engaged in gang activity, alcohol abuse and selling drugs.

Dexter Lewis
Dexter Lewis in court (credit: CBS)

Lewis' lawyers stated nothing excuses the murders of five people, but Lewis did not choose to be born into a life of lawlessness and chaos.

Prosecutors began their closing arguments Thursday afternoon. They will likely focus on the choice Lewis had to commit the crimes and the reality that not everyone who has a difficult childhood follows a similar path.

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