Lewis loses on most motions at hearing
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BY CLARENCE MABIN / Lincoln Journal Star
Lancaster County District Judge Paul Merritt denied, and murder defendant Eric F. Lewis fumed.
At a hearing Wednesday, Merritt turned down most of the motions Lewis offered, including one that would permit him to be examined at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Lewis, 36, a former Lincoln Regional Center patient, said he wants to show the court that Omaha authorities placed a band around his head and a wire in his ear. Lewis suggested Omaha police are using the devices to monitor or harass him.
“They got a band in my head, like AM/FM, talking, cheering,” he said. “They got me in a wind tunnel on a computer screen.”
Merritt denied that motion as well as others, including one seeking a continuance of his trial and another asking the court to issue subpoenas to 43 people on Lewis’ witness list.
In February, Merritt found Lewis competent to stand trial, and earlier this week, he granted Lewis’ request to represent himself.
In the order Monday, the judge named Lewis’ court-appointed attorney, Stu Mills, standby counsel over Lewis’ objection.
Lewis has said he will argue self-defense.
The judge said he would not approve the subpoenas unless Lewis explained why the people were important to his defense.
“No, I will not,” Lewis said.
“OK,” said Merritt, “the subpoena (request) is quashed.”
Lewis then asked for a definition of quashed.
“Subpoenas will not be issued,” Merritt explained.
“If I need 43 witnesses here, I need 43 witnesses here,” Lewis shouted.
“You’re denying my strategy,” he said, his right index finger poking hard against the defense table.
A sheriff’s deputy standing outside the well of the courtroom inched closer to Lewis, and Lewis turned toward the officer and said, “I’m being loud right now, but I’m very calm.”
Lewis is scheduled to go to trial June 16 for the death of Dr. Louis Martin, a Regional Center psychiatrist. Authorities say Lewis, angry because he could not leave the center, attacked Martin at the hospital July 23. Martin, 78, died Aug. 2.
Authorities have charged Lewis with second-degree murder, and he is being held at the Lancaster County jail.
The psychiatrist who examined him for competency determined he has a mood disorder, but also has the ability to control himself “‘if he chooses to,’” Merritt noted in the order Monday.
Reach Clarence Mabin at 473-7234 or cmabin@journalstar.com.
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