DA Warren Montgomery reports that 38 YO Mariel Dannell Lewis of Slidell pleaded guilty earlier this week to Attempted First Degree Murder, three counts of Aggravated Battery, and Resisting with Force or Violence.
Lewis was sentenced the same day by District Judge Vincent Lobello to 30 years without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
Lewis had no prior criminal record.
On May 18, 2021 Slidell Police were dispatched to a Days Inn in Slidell in reference to a stabbing in progress. Upon arrival, officers observed the victim, a front desk clerk for the hotel, lying on his back, covered in blood with puncture wounds to his body.
Two witnesses identified the defendant as having stabbed the clerk.
Officers found Lewis holding a bloody box-cutter style knife and with wet blood on her clothes and person.
Lewis refused to comply with officers’ instructions, became agitated and took an aggressive stance, daring officers to “shoot” her.
Following a successful taser deployment, Lewis fell to the ground where officers were able to subdue her.
During its investigation, police learned the victim had advised Lewis and her male companion that they had to vacate their room due to non-payment. During the encounter, Lewis became angry and attacked the victim from behind.
Hotel security footage captured the incident.
Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover prosecuted the case and the Slidell Police Department conducted the investigation.
