When it comes to defending a murder charge there is no substitute for experience. Ken Lewis and Ron Pliego know Tampa murder defense. Attorney Ken Lewis was a homicide prosecutor for 8 years and was the former chief homicide prosecutor for Orange and Osceola Counties. Attorney Ken Lewis has tried numerous high profile Central Florida murder cases such as the Cady Way killings. Ken Lewis has had experience with all murder charges pursuant to Florida Statute 782.04 and has experience in all aspects of murder litigation including handling numerous stand your ground self defense hearings. Just a handful of lawyers in Florida have had over 50 murder trials. If you are convicted of first degree murder in Florida the only legal sentence is life in prison with no parole. Are you willing to take that chance?  Attorney Ron Pliego, an aggressive litigator, is a native Tamponian and a former felony prosecutor in Broward and Brevard counties. Ron Pliego has been practicing in Tampa for over 18 years. 

An attorney that knows forensice science can poke holes in the State's case that can lead to reasonable doubt. DNA evidencem forensic pathology, cellphone technology, gunshot residue, computer forensics, footprints, blood spatter and serology results can make or break your case. As a former chief of the State Attorney's Office homicide unit and as a sex crimes prosecutor for almost 5 years Ken Lewis has dealth with all types of scientific evidence and has cross examined some of the leading forensic scientists in their field. Prosecutors routinely rely on various experts hoping to persuade the jury, but far too often, these experts are less than qualified, have used questionable methods or have reached faulty conclusions. If you are hiring an attorney who does not have extensive experience in forensic science you are doing yourself a disservice. Where many attorneys might read a forensic report and move forward under the presumption that everything is accurate, I break down this evidence thoroughly to bolster my clients' cases. I have the knowledge and experience in scientific method to break down this evidence, and find errors that can potentially alter the outcome of your case.  

Our knowledge of forensics benefits those charged with murder in a variety of ways:

• DNA evidence: This is perhaps the most critical piece of forensic evidence in the modern criminal trial. Everything from murder to petty theft often comes down to DNA evidence left at the scene of the crime.

• Toxicology reports: Toxicology comes into play to determine the levels of intoxicants in suspects' or victims' systems, and toxicology comes into play in other criminal cases as well.

• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS): This forensic method is used commonly in drug cases as well as in OVI cases involving blood or urine tests. It is used to detect and identify substances as well as quantify the amount of drug or substance present.

• Forensic pathology: Understanding the medical examiner's report and the medical conclusions is vital to successful defense of murder cases. We ask the "why" and "how" questions so that I can present an effective defense at trial. I will consult with the medical examiner who did the autopsy as well as obtain an independent review and/or get second opinions where called upon to do so. Ken Lewis has cross examined the top forensic pathologists including the world renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht and shaken baby expert John Plunkett.  

• Abusive head trauma and multiple fractures: Successful defense of these types of cases requires a solid understanding of the medical processes involved, including things such as brain hemorrhages, dural rebleeds, contrecoup effect, venous thrombosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, rickets, classic metaphyseal lesions and more. Ken Lewis has tried multiple child homicides and has worked with numerous expert nuerologists regarding shaken baby syndrome. 

• Fingerprints: We have worked closely with fingerprint experts in many cases. We are familiar with the importance of obtaining a second opinion when it comes to "subjective" forensic sciences such as fingerprints and handwriting analysis.

• Gunshot residue and distance determination: These tests are often instrumental in eliminating a suspect or establishing self defense.  

These are just a few of the important aspects of forensics we handle in our practice. Our experience and knowledge provide benefit in understanding complex scientific evidence, cross-examination of expert witnesses and other important aspects of criminal defense.

We challenge everything. Working with a private investigator and a team of forensic experts, We leave no stone unturned. If there is any error in the forensic evidence, We will find it.

 *Do not even consider hiring an attorney on a murder case without asking them how many murder trials they have tried. Very few lawyers in Florida have tried more murder cases than attorney Ken Lewis.