Northshore prosecutors say a Slidell woman will be behind bars until she is 68 years old after a brutal attack on a motel clerk in Slidell. Mariel Dannell Lewis confessed to the crime after the clerk told her she had to leave the hotel because she hadn't paid for her room.
"Lewis admitted she stabbed the victim repeatedly and followed the victim as he tried to escape," 22nd Judicial District District Attorney Public Information Officer Shawn P. Smith said. "She said she had continued to stab him because he 'disrespected me. Nobody f*ing disrespects me.'"
District Attorney Warren Montgomery says 38-year-old Lewis pleaded guilty attempted first degree murder and other charges.
Judge Vincent Lobello, this week, sentenced her to 30 years to be served without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
Lewis had no prior criminal record.
The crime happened 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." Smith said.
They tased her instead.
"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. Lewis pepper-sprayed the victim and then began stabbing him with a boxcutter, intentionally trying to cut his throat. Eventually, the victim collapsed to the ground and Lewis continued her attack."
Lewis also pepper sprayed two other motel guests who tried to intervene and help the victim.
