In 2024 election back and forth, Facebook posters point to Madison County murder case

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WHNT ) — The 2024 race for the White House has seen plenty of harsh words and unusual claims, and now a Madison County murder case has a turn in the spotlight.

Former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on immigrants committing murders
has prompted a pushback on Facebook by Trump opponents, pointing to a former Madison County Republican party official who is charged with murder.

The case of Kyle Lewter is still in the early stages in the court system. He is charged with murder and sexual torture stemming from a deadly encounter in Harvest in March.

In the past few days, multiple Facebook posts and comments made point to his past political roles. Records show Lewter served as a vice-chairman of the Madison County Young Republicans and was paid for campaign and administrative staff work for Republican Alabama State Sen. Tom Butler.

Lewter frequently attended local Republican Party events and there are lots of photographs of him with many of Alabama’s best-known elected officials.

But, the case against him does not appear to be in any way related to politics. He is charged with killing his friend Derek Walls and torturing him before he died.

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The judge in the case has granted a defense request for a mental health evaluation. In court filings, the defense said Lewter had significant mental health problems.

Court records also show the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission recently approved more than $5,000 for funeral and related expenses for Walls’ family.

This year’s presidential election is set for Nov. 5.

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