While Darin Schmidt, 34, of Pevely was convicted last week of shooting and killing David “Slim” Bewig Jr. in 2016 in St. Louis, it gives little comfort to the victim’s family, said his father, David Bewig Sr. of Pevely.
The victim also was from Pevely.
On Aug. 28 in the St. Louis Circuit Court, a jury found Schmidt guilty of first-degree murder, a class A felony, and armed criminal action, an unclassified felony, in a trial before 22nd Circuit Judge Thomas C. Clark II.
Prosecutors said “Schmidt was convicted of the cold, calculated execution of Bewig as a revenge killing,” the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office reported.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11.
Prosecutors reportedly did not seek the death penalty in the case, so the maximum sentencing for the murder conviction is life in prison, and the armed criminal action conviction carries a penalty up to three years in prison.
“I’m happy they got the person and we got a little … I wouldn’t call it closure,” said Bewig Sr., a former Pevely alderman. “It’s just nice to know the person was held accountable. I’m just happy he’s convicted. He can’t hurt anybody else.”
According to the probable-cause statement in the case and police reports, Bewig Jr., 31, was found dead with two gunshot wounds to his head early Dec. 9, 2016, in his car located in the 5500 block of Etzel Avenue.
He had died the day before, the report said.
Officers found the victim after receiving a “suspicious auto” report, and Bewig Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report.
The probable-cause statement said four witnesses, who are not named in the document, came forward and reported that Schmidt told them he had shot and killed Bewig Jr.
“Witness cooperation was an essential factor in holding Darin Schmidt accountable for this horrible crime,” St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner said.
Bewig Sr. said his son went to school with Schmidt, adding that the two were not necessarily close friends.