Allen Tayeh sentenced in murder of beloved attorney Doug Lewis
Allen Tayeh, on the left, seems in a mugshot Doug Lewis, on the ideal, seems in a law business portrait that was also utilised in his obituary. (Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Business obituary)
A Ga guy will invest the rest of his existence in jail for killing his ex-wife’s divorce legal professional and then setting the victim’s law place of work on fire late very last year, authorities in the Peach State declared on Wednesday.
Allen Tayeh, 65, was to start with arrested on rates of malice murder and arson in early December 2022 for the loss of life of attorney Douglas “Doug” Lewis. In late February, a grand jury formalized people costs and then some. He was indicted on just one count every of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, burglary, arson, possession of a firearm all through the commission of a felony, prison endeavor to conceal a death, and tampering with evidence.
On June 21, Tayeh took lawful culpability for every solitary indicted rely by coming into a responsible plea, according to the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Place of work. He was subsequently sentenced to everyday living with out the chance of parole alongside with an supplemental five-year sentence to be served consecutively.
Lewis, 55, was shot to death with a .38 revolver on Dec. 7, 2022. Professional medical examiners determined that he experienced been shot many situations in the head – “with one shot getting been pretty much instantly lethal,” the DA’s place of work reported. Investigators determined Lewis was presently lifeless by the time the fireplace was started.
“A devoted and loving father and partner, Doug under no circumstances skipped a day to share how proud he was of them,” the deceased man’s obituary reads. “He liked nothing more than expending time and earning memories with family members and buddies no matter if at residence, the ball industry, a concert, or the seashore.”
Tayeh was observed walking, not as well considerably, from the scene of the criminal offense. Regulation enforcement observed that his eyebrows and hair had been singed by flames he was also visibly burned on his fingers, legs, and his face. And the defendant was even now carrying the similar .38 that he employed to destroy Lewis – together with five invested bullet casings.
Investigators also located Tayeh’s automobile parked up coming to Lewis’ truck in the regulation office’s driveway.
“Fire investigators decided that gasoline was utilized to start off the hearth, and fuel cans were being uncovered in the defendant’s truck,” the DA’s office mentioned. “The defendant’s truck keys were being situated in close proximity to Mr. Lewis’s overall body in the legislation office after the hearth was extinguished.”
Civil courtroom filings would at some point flip up the motive for the beloved attorney’s murder. Lewis had not long ago represented Tayeh’s ex-spouse in a messy divorce that went to demo. In the end, Tayeh was requested to pay back Lewis’ attorney’s costs but he would not or could not do so and the judge who oversaw the divorce issued a notice for the defendant to show up at contempt of courtroom hearings about the funds he owed.
The defendant and his ex-spouse – who was continue to staying represented by Lewis – ended up owing back again for their following scheduled hearing in ongoing proceedings the week of the murder and arson.
“It’s pretty brazen,” Lawrenceville Law enforcement Department Lieutenant Jake Parker said at the time of the attorney’s demise.
In accordance to the Condition Bar of Ga, Lewis received his law diploma from West Virginia University. He turned a member of the bar in 1992 and practiced regulation for just around 30 several years when he was killed.
“Those who have been blessed ample to know Doug, know that he was a committed spouse and children person, considerate and caring son, beloved brother, loving and involved uncle and brother-in-law, and pleasurable and endearing buddy,” his obituary continues. “Doug coached youth sporting activities, which include baseball, soccer, basketball, softball, and lacrosse, from 2003–2019. Doug was effectively-beloved and respected by numerous. A loud and very pleased enthusiast of the Georgia Bulldogs, WVU Mountaineers, Atlanta Braves, Mercer Lacrosse, and Mill Creek Hawks, Doug loved cheering on his beloved teams along with mates and family.”
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