Pieper Lewis appeals $150,000 restitution to estate of man she killed

Pieper Lewis gives her allocution during a sentencing hearing, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. Lewis, who was initially charged with first-degree murder after she stabbed her accused rapist to death in June 2020, was sentenced to five years of closely supervised probation and ordered to pay $150,000 restitution to the man’s family. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Des Moines Register via AP)

by: Kelly Maricle

Posted: Sep 27, 2022 / 11:27 AM CDT

Updated: Sep 27, 2022 / 02:17 PM CDT

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DES MOINES, Iowa — Pieper Lewis is appealing the order for her to pay restitution to the family of Zachary Brooks, saying it constitutes an illegal sentence.

Lewis pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and willful injury last year in the June 2020 killing. She was 15-years-old when she stabbed Brooks to death after saying he raped her multiple times.

Lewis claims she was being trafficked to Brooks at the time. The Des Moines Police Department is continuing to investigate the human trafficking case, but no charges have been filed at this point.

Lewis, now 17, received a deferred sentence and five years of probation when she was sentenced two weeks ago. She was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to Brooks’ family.

During sentencing, the judge said because of previous case law, he “has no discretion but to impose the restitution ordered herein.”

Attorneys for Lewis have asked the court to grant relief on the matter and if it is denied, they plan to seek discretionary review from the Iowa Supreme Court.