Case #13: The Murder of Carly Lewis

Introduction: 

So, this is a case from my hometown. It's a case I have something of a personal tie to. I even went to the same high school as Carly. I didn't know her personally. But, given some of the other ties I kind of have to this case, this is something I wanted to make sure I could get right.  

Robert Schwander:

Robert Schwander, the man convicted for Carly's murder


18-year-old Robert Schwander was arrested for Carly's murder. Robert's father was a sheriff's deputy in Traverse City. After he was arrested, Robert led police to Carly's body. Her body was located in a sand pile at the city's public work complex. During this time, Schwander was staying in a hut nearby. 

To give some history, Schwander's father was a sheriff's deputy. Scahwander was described as a troublemaker. Because of this, his father kicked him out. Schwander floated around for a while until the Lewis familty took him in. He stayed with the family for a few months before being asked to leave. The exact reason as to why Schwander was asked to leave is unclear. People seem unsure as to whether Schwander wore out his welcome, or as to whether an altercation happened. Schwander seemed to think that Carly was responsible for his getting kicked out.   

Carly Lewis:

Carly Lewis, the victim


Carly was described as being a good person. Her father described her as being someone who put on a happy face, even if she wasn't actually happy. Her mother described her as somebody who could befriend just about anybody.  

The Murder: 

On June 2nd, 2011, 16-year-old Carly Lewis disappeared. Her body was found 12 days later on June 14th. The reason as to why Carly was with Schwander that night is unknown. Some people reportedly say she was there to get high with him. Other people reportedly say she was checking up on him because her family kicked him out. Whatever the reason, an argument eventually broke out between the two. Carly was stabbed 10 times in the chest. 

The Immediate Aftermath:

After killing Carly, Schwander started calling his friends for help. Schwander's friends claimed that Schwander had just wanted to kill Carly. However, initially, his friends didn't seem to take it seriously until Carly went missing. One of Schwander's friends had reported what he knew to a teacher and later to the police.  

The Trial:

When Schwander was on trial, he testified in his own defense. He had claimed he had put her in a chokehold during an argument to try and calm her down. The defense claimed this was how she died, and that stab wounds found on her body came from state police

This was called into question by forensic pathologist, Dr. Stephen Cohle. Cohle testified that the stab wounds were actually made while Carly was still alive, indicating that the stab wounds were actually what what killed her.

The trial ended with Schwander being sentenced for 40 to 70 years. Recommended state guidelines would have been 13 to 22 years. The judge who oversaw the trial said that Carly's murder was "cruel and soulless." As recently as February of 2020, Robert Schwander was re-sentenced to 33 to 50 years in prison   

Final Thoughts:

As I conclude this case, there is one thing I wish I could have found more on, and that is information on Carly herself. Other than that, I actually feel pretty solid about my research. I actually want to leave this on a quote from the judge who oversaw Schwander's initial trial:

"Which is more depraved, stabbing a victim multiple times and watching her slowly bleed to death or choking her to the point where she became unconscious and could no longer fight or resist, continuing to do so for two additional minutes then dropping the body, going for a walk, and returning finally to allegedly doing some chest compressions?" 

Sources:

https://www.mlive.com/news/2011/10/deputys_son_guilty_of_killing.html 

https://www.mlive.com/news/2011/10/traverse_city_murder_trial_dr.html

https://www.ranker.com/list/carly-lewis/jacob-shelton

https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/convicted-murderer-of-traverse-city-receives-new-sentence

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