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Houston Murder Defendant Accused of Punching His Lawyer After 50-Year Sentence

The alleged punch led to a separate charge for injuring a person 65 or older.

Overview

  • Lewis, 27, who was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years for murder, allegedly struck his attorney, John Petruzzi, in the face moments after the judge spoke, according to a bail motion.
  • Authorities charged him with causing injury to an individual 65 or older, a Texas offense that treats attacks on seniors as more serious crimes.
  • Petruzzi, a veteran Houston defense lawyer with 46 years in practice, said he had never been hit by a client and reported no serious injuries.
  • Lewis had pleaded guilty to the April 2024 killing of Quincy Jermaine Johnson after waiving a jury, and Judge Kelli Johnson in the 178th District Court adopted the state’s maximum 50-year recommendation.
  • Court records show Lewis asked on Dec. 26, 2025 to replace Petruzzi as his court-appointed lawyer, and officials have not said whether the new charge will add to his prison time.