Defense attorneys seek 3rd trial in arson deaths of woman, 8 children

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Attorneys for a man twice convicted in the arson deaths of a Cleveland woman and eight children at a birthday sleepover have asked for a third trial.

Defense attorneys for 30-year-old Antun Lewis asked the trial judge Thursday to throw out the second conviction as unfair because of widespread media coverage of the crime between the 2005 fire and the trial.

Lewis, a small-time drug dealer, was convicted in December at his second trial.