Man Found Guilty For Starting Fire, Killing 4-Year-Old Girl

WASHINGTON, DC — A Southeast man has been found guilty of first-degree murder with aggravated circumstances for setting fire in an apartment to get back at his tenants and ultimately killing a 4-year-old girl, prosecutors said.

Jerome C. Lewis, 50, was found guilty Oct. 26, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Lewis faces life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors said Lewis owned a home in the 2600 block of 23rd St. SE and rented the first two floors to relatives, while he lived in the basemen in late 2011. In early 2013, his relationship with his tenants had "become strained and he was experiencing a financial crisis," prosecutors said.

Lewis was found guilty of setting fire to his mattress in his basement on Feb. 17, 2013. The fire spread throughout the basement and the first floor of his home. Everyone was able to escape the home, except for four-year-old Samauri Michelle Jenkins, prosecutors said. Jenkins was rescued from a second floor bedroom by firefighters and died from burns and smoke inhalation at the hospital two days later.

Police arrested Lewis the morning of the fire and he has been in custody ever since. Along with first-degree murder, he was found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree cruelty to children. Lewis will be sentenced Jan 26, 2018.

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