Judge denies motion to revoke bond for man charged in 2020 Columbia nightclub shooting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man charged in a deadly 2020 Columbia shooting will not have his bond revoked after arguments in Monday morning's pre-trial hearing.

Curtis Allen Lewis is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with a shooting that killed Tershawn Kitchen. Kitchen was a security guard at Vibez nightclub at the time of the shooting in Feb. 2020 in downtown Columbia, according to previous reporting.

Prosecutors looked to revoke Lewis' bond Monday ahead of his trial due to an alleged domestic assault incident involving Lewis. Judge Devine denied the prosecution's request due to inconsistencies.

There is a warrant out for Lewis' arrest for new charges filed due to the domestic assault and the bond is set for $5,000.

On the night of the shooting, Lewis told officers he was the shooter and handed them a loaded handgun, according to the PC statement. He also allegedly told officers he was punched right before the shooting. A woman was also shot in the face, but she survived.

According to court documents, the Columbia Police Department sent Lewis’ gun to the FBI for ballistics testing while Lewis was in custody. Due to staffing shortages, the FBI never completed the tests, according to the motion to set bond.  Court documents claim the FBI still gave expected completion dates.

The case was dismissed because the FBI did not complete the ballistics test and was in possession of the gun, according to the motion to set bond in 2023.

“The FBI has returned all evidentiary items to the Columbia Police Department and this case can now proceed to trial,” the motion to set bond says.

In a letter Lewis sent to the judge, he states his concerns about his case, his ability to communicate with his lawyer, and his constitutional right to a fair and timely trial.

Lewis' four-day jury trial is set to begin Sept. 29 with another pre-trial scheduled for Sept 18 at 3:30 p.m.