SPOKANE Bail was set at $500,000 for the man accused of a fatal attack in North Spokane.
The Spokane County Persecutor's Office upgraded charges Tuesday against Treven Lewis. The 18-year-old was originally charged with assault, but now faces a charge of 2nd Degree Murder.
Frank Motta died March 15th after suffering a critical head injury trying to break up a party. Motta tried to shut down an out-of-control party happening next door hosted by a teen whose parents were out of town.
According to court documents, the homeowner called 911 and reported her son was having an underage drinking party. The homeowner asked Motta, to keep an eye on the home.
Charging documents say one witness saw Motta nudging people, telling them to leave including Lewis' pregnant girlfriend. The court papers go on to say that Lewis yelled 'Get away from my girl,' pushed Motta to the ground, and when he got up from the floor punched him in the head.
Deputies found Motta lying on his back, stiff and bleeding from his head and right ear.
Investigators say Lewis' punch led to a skull fracture to Motta's frontal lobe and a fracture on the right temporal side of his skull that caused bleeding and bruising of his brain.
In a jailhouse interview Lewis told KREM2 he was protecting his girlfriend but doesn't regret his actions. Lewis has declined requests for an interview since Motta's death and the upgraded charge.
Authorities say Lewis left the party, but was arrested last week on assault charges. A judge set bail for Lewis at $250,000.
Motta did have permission to enter the home.
Lewis' arraignment is set for March 27th at 9 a.m.
Lewis' defense attorney and family declined to comment on Wednesday.
