He was only 15 when he was arrested for murder but it was an 18 year old Steven Manzanero that a jury convicted this evening of manslaughter. Manzanero was charged for the March 26th 2005 murder of 17 year old Levi Damian Quewell. It was a sensational murder at the time- Quewell – a high school student – was stabbed while at the San Ignacio-Santa Elena Town fair. The motive was an old beef between rival groups of young men in Santa Elena. Quewell was asked a question and because he didn’t answer – Manzanero stabbed him in his stomach. Quewell died a day later at the San Ignacio Hospital.
The trial began on April 2nd but it was paused for two weeks because of Manzanero’s strange courtroom behaviour. First he threatened witnesses with hand gestures. Another day in court he laid down on the witness bench. Justice Herbert Lord ordered a psychiatric evaluation. He was found fit to stand trial. The main witness against him was Quewell’s older brother Leroy who witnessed the murder. He was defended by attorney Hubert Elrington. He didn’t testify but his mom and two doctors did.
The jury deliberated for 4 hours. He faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and will be sentenced next week.
