By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — An ex-con who allegedly assaulted a woman who tried to help him may spend the next 20 years in prison.
Edward Lee Lewis, 58, was charged in Wayne County Circuit Court Tuesday with first-degree home invasion and unarmed robbery. Lewis stood mute and Judge Deborah Thomas entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Lewis remained in custody on $300,000 bond.
Police arrested Lewis last month after he allegedly entered a house in the 2200 block of Greenwood Street. Lewis confronted the 82-year-old homeowner — who previously helped Lewis since his May 2011 release from prison; Lewis was convicted in 1987 of homicide.
Lewis reportedly demanded money, and threw the woman to the floor before taking $40 in cash and ripping her phone out of the wall. Lewis also is charged with interfering with electronic communications, a misdemeanor. Home invasion and unarmed robbery are felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Lewis was located the next day, and charged on July 31 in 33rd District Court before being bound over to Wayne County. A preliminary conference is scheduled for Thursday.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])