Accused killer offered 40 year plea deal

NEWTON COUNTY - by Steve Stewart/KJAS - An accused murderer in Newton County has been offered 40 years in state prison in exchange for a guilty plea.

25-year-old Brandon Lee Lewis has been held in the Newton County Jail since January when he was arrested and accused of murdering 23-year-old Byron Land. Newton County District Attorney Misti Spacek said on Friday that she offered the plea deal to Lewis and his attorney, and they are expected to appear before District Judge Gary Gatlin at 8:30 on Tuesday morning in the Newton Civic Center and enter a plea of guilty.

Newton County deputies responded to County Road 2036 in the Liberty Community, between Newton and Burkeville, when it was reported that Byron Land had been shot and was lying in the roadway. Land was flown to a Beaumont hospital where he later died.

Lewis was arrested a few days later just north of Jasper after police say they received a tip from his girlfriend.

The family of Byron Land has expressed great disappointment in the plea deal, and Spacek says the family has her full sympathy.

Spacek said on Friday, "There is no appropriate sentence for someone that takes the life of another person, but unfortunately, that’s not how the crimiminal justice system is set up".

Spacek said that she and her staff have carefully looked at every aspect of the case, and her professional opinion is that the 40 year offer is fair and reasonable.

Spacek went on to say, "Obviously it doesn't equal the life of that man, and I understand the family is hurt, and nothing will ever fill that void and I hurt for them, my heart goes out to them.

Spacek said she had to make the decision based on law, rather than her own emotions.