Gary L. Stevens, 58, Salem, admitted to law enforcement officers Friday to killing Dennis Lewis and Mary Lewis, his sister and brother-in-law, March 1 in their rural Dent County home, according to court charges filed today by Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Brandi Baird.
During an interview Friday with law enforcement officials in Holts Summit, Stevens admitted that prior to leaving the residence in the Lewis' 2005 Dodge truck March 1, he "walked into the bedroom of Dennis and Mary Lewis, turned on the lights and shot both Dennis Lewis and Mary Lewis," according to the state highway patrol's probable cause statement.
No motive was given in the court charges.
Stevens faces seven felony charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. He is also charged with two counts of armed criminal action, tampering with a motor vehicle in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm.
If convicted of first-degree murder Stevens faces the death penalty or imprisonment for life without eligibility for probation or parole, according to the charges. He is being charged as a prior offender.
Judge Sandy Ball Saturday denied Stevens bail. Stevens is being held in the Dent County jail.
The murder could have occurred early on March 1.
An unnamed witness told law enforcement investigators that he arrived at the Lewis residence at approximately 6:30 a.m. March 1 to work with Dennis Lewis cutting timber, according to the probable cause. The witness stated that he went to the rear door of the residence and was contacted by Stevens, who informed him that Dennis Lewis was not working that day.
A .22 caliber rifle was used to shoot Dennis Lewis, 57, three times in the head, and Mary Lewis, 50, once in the head.
Stevens was not supposed to lawfully possess a firearm since a 1980 felony conviction of burglary in Jackson County.
