Jury Trial Postponed for Columbia Shooting Defendant
A judge granted a continuance in the manslaughter case against Curtis Lewis, pushing the trial date to 2027.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Violence
A Columbia judge has canceled the jury trial for Curtis Lewis, who is charged in a 2020 shooting that left one person dead. The court granted a motion for a continuance following a hearing held last Friday.
Why it matters
The delay stems from the defendant's stated dissatisfaction with his legal counsel and the prosecution's report of a missing trial witness. This procedural pause ensures both sides have time to address outstanding discovery issues before the trial proceeds.
Curtis Lewis is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action. Legal proceedings are currently halted until a hearing scheduled for November 2 to determine a new trial date for 2027.
The players
Curtis Lewis
He is the defendant currently facing charges of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action.
Tershawn Kitchen
He was the 34-year-old shooting victim who died following an incident outside a local lounge.
The details
Curtis Lewis allegedly fired shots into a crowd outside Vibez Lounge in February 2020, resulting in the death of 34-year-old Tershawn Kitchen. Lewis previously told investigators he opened fire only after he was punched.
Timeline
The shooting occurred at the Vibez Lounge in February 2020.
A defense attorney filed a motion for a continuance last week.
A judge granted the motion to continue the case last Friday.
The court scheduled a follow-up hearing for November 2, 2026.
A new trial date for the case is expected to be set for 2027.
Legal Context
The legal delays in this manslaughter case follow years of procedural activity stemming from the 2020 Columbia shooting at Vibez Lounge. This postponement marks the latest development in the long-running litigation arising from this specific incident.
The delay effectively pushes back the resolution of a high-profile criminal case involving an incident at a local establishment. Residents should expect continued court activity and potential future closures or security presence at the courthouse when the trial finally begins in 2027.
The takeaway
Legal delays are a common occurrence in complex criminal cases involving multiple charges and witness availability issues. The upcoming November hearing will be the next major indicator of when the judicial system will fully address the charges against the defendant.
What happens next
A hearing is set for November 2, 2026, where the court will establish a new trial date for the proceedings against Curtis Lewis.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit Columbia Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KJLU 88.9 FM.
