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Local armed robbery suspect denied bail reduction

Lewis

A suspect in the armed robbery of the Marshalltown Git n’ Go store in the 3300 block of South Center Street last month was denied bail reduction Tuesday by Judge James Ellefson in Marshall County District Court.

Attorney Michael Marquess had requested the court to reduce bail for his client, Johnqwez Deananthony Lewis, 19.

The Marshalltown Police Department arrested Lewis in connection with the armed robbery on Dec. 24 at a local residence without incident.

He was charged with:

— Robbery 1st Degree – Class B Felony

— Possession of a Firearm as a Felon – Class D Felony

— Voluntary Absence from Custody – Class D Felony

Lewis was later transported to Marshall County Jail, where he was being held on two bonds of $50,000 each and one of $5,000.

Additionally, Marquess asked the court to release Lewis from jail on the condition he wear an ankle monitoring device so he could attend substance abuse treatment.

With the court’s permission, Lewis would also be allowed to live at the residence with his girlfriend, Reonna Spencer, 19, her mother, and two siblings.

Central to Marquess’ efforts was his belief authorities had arrested the wrong man.

Spencer took the witness stand and swore under oath.

She then answered questions from Marquess confirming Lewis was in her company at her mother’s house in Marshalltown during the time of the robbery.

Marshall County Assistant County Attorney James Sheets questioned Spencer on her testimony concerning the whereabouts of Lewis before the robbery.

Sheets argued against the bail reduction and allowing Lewis to reside at a residence, citing Lewis’ past behavior.

He told the court Lewis had previously “walked away” from a court-ordered half-way house last September and was absent three months.

“Mr. Lewis has proved by his past actions he is not amenable to court-ordered supervision,” he said.

Complicating the proceedings was that Marquess was made aware just before the hearing warrants on an additional felony charge and a criminal aggravated misdemeanor charge — with no bail set by the judge — had been lodged against his client earlier in the day

Ellefson denied all of Marquess’ requests.

Lewis remains in Marshall County Jail.

He will make his initial court appearance on new charges today.

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