Lewis Lane, a 20-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed in South Austin on April 24, 2015. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. in the 7300 block of Gaines Mill Lane, near Manchaca Road and William Cannon Drive. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene and transported Lewis to University Medical Center Brackenridge, where he succumbed to his gunshot wounds at 5:09 a.m.
The police investigation revealed that Lewis was found in a part of town he would not normally visit, and no witnesses to the shooting were initially located, only individuals who heard the gunshots.
Lewis Lane's mother, Chantel Session, expressed her profound grief and disbelief upon learning of her son's death. She described it as the worst day of her life, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on her and her family. Despite Lewis's past legal troubles, including convictions for theft and criminal trespass, his family believed he was trying to turn his life around for the sake of his daughter.
The investigation into Lewis Lane's murder continued for nearly two years without any arrests. However, in March 2017, police identified Jamal Boyd, also known as Prince Apollo, as the suspect in the case. Boyd, 26, was already serving time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for an unrelated aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. According to court documents, Lewis had a history of robbing people of illegal narcotics, and it was alleged that he had previously robbed Boyd. On the night of the murder, Lewis and a friend had driven to Boyd's house to purchase marijuana despite their past conflict. The situation escalated, leading to Boyd shooting Lewis during an altercation in the car.
Boyd was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, a charge that carries severe penalties. The case against Boyd faced challenges, including concerns about the credibility of witnesses with criminal backgrounds. Despite these obstacles, the Austin Police Department remained committed to solving the case and providing justice for Lewis Lane and his family. The investigation continued, with detectives following up on leads and gathering evidence to build a strong case against Boyd.
