Three arrested in connection with deadly Denver bar fire

AP / Ed Andrieski

Police work at Fero's Bar and Grill in Denver on Oct. 17, where the bodies of a man and four woman were discovered after firefighters extinguished a fire at the bar early Wednesday morning.

Police in Denver arrested three suspects late Wednesday in connection with the bar fire that was started to cover up the murders of five people. 

Denver police and federal agents arrested Dexter Lewis, 22, Joseph Hill, 27, and Lynell Hill, 24, around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Denver Police Commander Ron Saunier told reporters at a press conference Thursday.

Saunier said the motive in setting fire to Fero’s Bar & Grill was robbery.  

“They came in there, it wound up being a robbery,” Saunier said. “The arson was set to try to cover up the crime scene.”


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The Denver medical examiner identified the victims as Young Fero, 63, the bar’s owner, Daria M. Pohl, 22, Kellene Fallon, 45, Ross Richter, 29, and Tereasa Beesley, 45.

Saunier said detectives believe the victims were killed before the fire started. He also said there were obvious signs of trauma to the victims’ bodies.

Saunier said they do not expect to make any more arrests, but they will continue to investigate and execute search warrants. “At this time we believe we have everybody identified that’s been involved in this,” he said.

The three men are being held on various charges, including five counts of first-degree murder, felony murder, aggravated robbery, and arson. More charges are likely to follow.

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The fire was reported at 1:47 a.m., just before the bar’s 2 a.m. closing time Wednesday morning. 

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Would it be racist if he posted that his google search came up they were white?
(didn't think so)

  • 15 votes
Reply#2 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:11 PM EDT

Were they white? The names sound white, not wanting to sound racist or anything. I could not find pictures, why don't they ever provide those with the articles?

  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:13 PM EDT

Sheila, the names do not sound white.

If you search, you will find the "black" and white pictures.

  • 4 votes
#2.2 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:37 PM EDT

Lynell sounds about as "white" as Jose...not that race matters, but if you are going to stereotype based upon a name, you should probably know the difference between a "white"/"black"/"hispanic" etc. name.

  • 2 votes
#2.3 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:42 PM EDT

I didn't mean to stereotype, but come on, Joe Hill? Off to search.

  • 1 vote
#2.4 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:47 PM EDT
  • 5 votes
#2.5 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:53 PM EDT

Yeah, I know now they were black. Its kind of coincidental, but I was watching Homicide Hunter last night and it almost sounds like they could have based this story on the episode. In that case, it was a lone white man. No more second guessing race, though.

  • 1 vote
#2.6 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:58 PM EDT

Considering that most blacks and Natives Americans in this country have taken European names,also most Natives from Mexico south have taken Spanish names,which is also European,what is a black or white name?.

    #2.7 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:21 PM EDT

    Names have nothing to do with a persons color.... One of the suspects name was Lewis (color black)....ever heard of Jerry Lewis, Jerry Lee Lewis or Meriwether Lewis (color white).

    • 1 vote
    #2.8 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:59 PM EDT

    Are you serious, John? Most blacks have taken European names? Not where I come from. Most of their names are 28 letters long and impossible to pronounce. And, believe me, phonics don't work.

    • 1 vote
    #2.9 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:11 PM EDT

    I could not find pictures, why don't they ever provide those with the articles?

    And you won't on NBCNews - UNLESS they are at least part white.

    And, believe me, phonics don't work.

    It's called ebonics.

    • 1 vote
    #2.10 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:37 PM EDT
    Reply

    About race and murderers:

    In the US in 2009, 38.9 million black people committed a total of 5,890 murders. That means, on average, one in every 6,604 black people is a murderer.

    In the same year in the US, 223.5 million white people committed a total of 5,286 murders. That means, on average, one in every 42,281 white people is a murderer.

    That means, on average, a black person is 6.4 times more likely than a white person to be a murderer.

    There is no racism there. Those are facts.

    The other thing to consider, of course, is what makes a person a murderer (or other type of criminal). Certainly many more blacks than whites start out with socio-economic cards stacked against them. And it is very clear that socio-economic disadvantage leads to crime.

    But lastly, and perhaps most controversaially, is the question of why blacks don't seem to advance socially and strive to assimilate the way other historically disadvantaged groups did. Irish, Italians, Slavs, etc., were all persecuted. Yet they assimilated and there is no longer any measurable socio-economic disadvatage associated with any of those groups. Why has the same not happened with blacks?

    • 10 votes
    Reply#3 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:40 PM EDT

    Tiocfaidh1916

    But lastly, and perhaps most controversaially, is the question of why blacks don't seem to advance socially and strive to assimilate the way other historically disadvantaged groups did. Irish, Italians, Slavs, etc., were all persecuted. Yet they assimilated and there is no longer any measurable socio-economic disadvatage associated with any of those groups. Why has the same not happened with blacks?

    I believe you answered your own stupid question. What color/race would Irish, Italian or Slavs select if asked that question on any application or Government form? Can you ALWAYS tell them apart with certainty? But you can tell the difference between them and Blacks, right?

    WTF is wrong with some of you people, always citing or clamoring to know the race of the criminals, first? Then proceding to breakout data like some sports statistics. Do you also have the stats for how much of that data consists of "falsely-accused/imprisoned" people? Bet you don't, fools.

    Do you think the family & friends of the victims are comforted knowing if their loved-one was killed by someone of their OWN race? Sure you do.

    If you don't think that, now you see how asinine you sound.

    • 9 votes
    #3.1 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:27 PM EDT

    The truth hurts, but it is still the truth. Look at Africa. Most black peoples there have not progressed either. They are far more interested in riding around in the back of a ramshackle pick-up truck waving a gun around than they are in improving their lot. They measure success in how "bad" they are than in how much they improve.

    • 1 vote
    #3.2 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:18 PM EDT

    My spouse works in NYC. The Hispanics in Spanish Harlem own their own businesses, for the most part. However, in Black Harlem, there are very few Black owned businesses. Originally, the business owners were white, but the blacks chased them out. Instead of opening their own businesses, the Asians came in and ran them, but the blacks chased most of them out too. Now, many of the small businesses in Black Harlem are owned by Arabs. The blacks like them to the point of taking Arabic names and becoming Muslims themselves. However, the Arabs hate the blacks with a passion and think they are beneath them.

    The handful of blacks that want to get out of the 'hood land up getting beaten up by the others who want to keep them down. Ask any black child that tries to do well in school. They get picked on.

    • 2 votes
    #3.3 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:22 AM EDT

    @tio, the "Irish, Italians, Slavs, etc." were persecuted to the same degree that blacks were in this country?

    @tired, never heard of apartheid.

    You two are seriously stupid and, yes, the truth hurts.

    • 2 votes
    #3.4 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:09 AM EDT

    Since we're on the subject here's how Italian Americans kill people these days.

    usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/18/14539167-asbestos-60-million-pounds-of-debris-dumped-on-farm-leads-to-pollution-convictions?lite

    Didn't have to go too far to find this one.

    • 2 votes
    #3.5 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:15 AM EDT

    look up the story about "catching wild pigs" and then ask why the Black culture has such a hard time "assimilating" into the American Culture. What I find ironic is that the affluent had Black's brought to this country to serve them (slaves) and now look who is serving who. We are seeing more and more incidents of a very violent bunch of young people? Maybe we need to re-evaluate what kids were more apt to be engaged in while we had prayer in schools. I for one think there is a relationship between what is going on today and the removal of prayer from the schools. But that's just me.

      #3.6 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:16 AM EDT

      Yes, J clark,

      Praying will solve everything. Why didn't anyone think of that?

      • 1 vote
      #3.7 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:38 PM EDT

      "In the US in 2009, 38.9 million black people committed a total of 5,890 murders. That means, on average, one in every 6,604 black people is a murderer"

      ==========================================================

      Wrong out of that 38.9 million only a small percentage committed murder. The homicide rate for (US) Blacks is one of the highest in the world. Only a few countries South Africa, Jamaica, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Russia have higher homicide rates. On average there were about 20,000+ homicides in the US.

      Out of those 20,000+ homicides, 51.9% were committed by Blacks and 48.9 by whites, hispanics and asians. (When I say Blacks I m not talking about the 38 million or so blacks, I mean the mostly Black Males between the ages of 16-25 which makes the Pot even smaller. So that would be about 11,000+ murders commited by those Blacks which is extemely high in comparison to Asian and European countries. Most of those murders about 95% were commited by Blacks on Black crime. Whites homicides were 98.9% White on White. If you multiply the number off homicides commited by Blacks since the Civil Rights movement that would be 2012 - 1965 = 47 years x 11,000 = 470,000 murders and this is a conservative number because allot of homicides, about 15% are never solved therefore they are off the charts.

      Now 470,000 is about the population of Washington DC. That is more people that died in any (US) war including World War II ! The reason Black Leaders don't speak about this problem (even though it is hurting them more than others can imagine) is because they feel Defensive about it. Admiting that there is a problem in their community, that they have failed somehow would open the doors to more Racism and second-hand treatment.

      Part of the problem is drug related, the other is anger, joblessness and a lack of self esteem among many Black males. This exagerated tough-guy thing is a way for them instill or bring back their manhood which has been either taken away or shoved under the bus in this society.

      Another problem is just plain lack of moral values, evil non-God fearing behavior and faulty rearing. Regardless these murders makes everybody uncomfortable. Whites feel uncomforatble and so do the other races. I don't think getting respect through fear solves anything but peprpetuates the image of Blacks as uncivilized Savages. I really wish somebody with courage would speak on this issue, but would the say ?

        #3.8 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:28 PM EDT

        Race is the huge 'hidden shoal' that this nation will founder upon. There has not been an honest dialogue on race in this country for 150 years. Lincoln wanted to find a way to re-emigrate all the blacks to Africa at the conclusion of the Civil War, knowing they would not fit into this country after he emancipated them. Instead, they entered into 90 years of segregation and Jim Crow and the KKK. Then, the Civil Rights movement came along, and affirmative action, and political correctness. And the huge bulk of the blacks have STILL not 'shuffled in' with the rest of the country. We have had waves of Asian immigration in the past 50 years that caught up, and passed, the blacks in earning power and status within ONE GENERATION. Rather than 'get with the program', and instill values of success and learning and achievement into their children, millions of black families are content to play the 'welfare game' and the 'race card', looking to government to be their saviour and benefactor. The rate of un-employment, drop outs, out of wedlock births, and incarceration for young black males is off the charts. WHAT is going to 'fix' this? It WON'T be MORE government programs, handouts, and special entitlements. Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. Simply does not work. If anyone else has a suggestion, other than the stale Liberal 'cop out'- "It's all whitey's fault"- please let me know..

          #3.9 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:50 PM EDT
          Reply

          Their pictures are posted at denverchannel dot com/news/local-news/3-arrested-in-feros-bar-and-grill-fire-and-homicides.

          • 2 votes
          Reply#4 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:43 PM EDT

          Thank Goodness they caught the men. 5 people died over a senseless robbery. Colorado has had enough Trauma to deal with this past summer. May the victims families get some justice and peace with this.

          • 2 votes
          Reply#5 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:48 PM EDT

          You are so right, five people dead over any amount of money is senseless, but how much did they expect to get at a local bar? Why not just don masks and rob the place?

            #5.1 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:56 PM EDT
            Reply

            Why is everyone arguing if they were black or white. Who the F cares. They are the worst of the worst and should get death. Being Colorado though I seriously doubt they will be executed anytime soon. Look around these and other types of murders are common because of the hatred, bigotry and pure stupidity of these criminals. They and they alone are accountable for their own actions. Not Obama's fault or Romney, Bush or anyone else.

            • 4 votes
            Reply#6 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:33 PM EDT

            I really wish it wasn't about race and more about the senseless acts but that's the world we live in. Sad day period for everyone. For the poster who posted that blacks tend to be murderers more than whites you should also show that the victims of those murders were more than likely also black. Numbers can tell any story you want to but if you are going to report stats go all the way so you can see that most of those murders are against another black person. Now that doesn't make it better but its paints a better picture. Either way this is a tragedy and I hope these killers will one day realize what they have truly done. Its up to those of us with some sense & heart to look out for each other and be aware of our surroundings. We are all in this together and I know that people will stand together regardless of race.

            • 2 votes
            Reply#7 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:39 PM EDT

            So three guys did this, I think people who saw the crime and surveillance told who they were. Glad to see them caught.

            • 2 votes
            Reply#8 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:41 PM EDT

            FIGURES!!

            • 1 vote
            Reply#9 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:42 PM EDT

            they have nothing redeeming about them, no moral character may God pity them and let justice be swift.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#10 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:43 PM EDT

            I don't care what color they are give all of them the needle NOW !

            • 3 votes
            Reply#12 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:54 PM EDT

            If found guilty in a court of law, then I hope they hang with that other Bangladesh moron that tried to blow up the NY stock exchange!

            • 3 votes
            Reply#13 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:58 PM EDT

            Raidaz2010, the question is why blacks commit so many more crimes, per capita, than whites. First of all we need to acknowledge that that is an incontrovertibly true statement. You do raise a legit concern about conviction rates and the fairness of "the system." But there is no way that alone balances out the equation. The first fact is that blacks are causing much more trouble, per capita, than any other racial group in America. If you cannot acknowledge that, then there is no point of going further.

            So on to the question of assimilation. It's not just about color. You suggest I am being thick when I say "Why did the Irish, Italians, Slavs, etc. ultimately assimiliate even though they were persecuted for decades when they first arrived?" Look at the pictures of those second-generation Irish, Italians, Slavs, etc. Notice anything? They dress and act like the "established" Americans who had been here for generations. Too many black people make a point of NOT trying to assimilate. Not the immigrants blacks from Africa - they indeed try their best. They are not the ones that look and act like thugs. My experience with them, and I cannot think of a single exception, is that they are hard-working people trying to make it just like every other immigrant. But something happens with too many young blacks who are born here. Instead of trying to assimilate they form their own thuggish cliques. And this is where the crime comes from.

            You can argue with me and call me racist, but you cannot calmly and logically disagree with me.

            FYI, I am about as lefy-wing as they come. I voted for Obama and will again. But the thug culture of young blacks needs to be called out, and despite being a liberal, I am not too PC to admit it.

            • 7 votes
            Reply#14 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:08 PM EDT

            The Irish, Italian, Slavs ect. were never legally discriminated against. Your argument is invalid calmly and logically.

            • 3 votes
            #14.1 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:32 PM EDT

            Blacks act the same way in their native Africa, where they have never been dominated by whites. They stay at war with each other and never try to improve their lot. Each sect wants to control the others, just like the gangs do here. It has to be genetics.

            • 1 vote
            #14.2 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:25 PM EDT

            I sure would love to hear your critic on why Rich White Folks go around the world, murder and maim to take control of countries Rich Natural Resources, and by the way, they KILL by the HUNDRED OF THOUSANDS, including the troops they send to do their dirty work!

            What kind of GENETICS do these rich white folks have .... just GREED and EVIL too, whereby these a-holes are doing it for survival, which certainly don't excuse their terrible acts!

            Too Bad Bush & his Administration won't be receiving the SAME justice that will be handed down on these dumb a-holes, for the PACK OF LIES they told to invade Iraq for the 2nd largest crude supply on the planet! For if they truly did it, I hope they received the same treatment, before being burned!

            I want to know how they caught them so quickly and the evidence they have.

            • 2 votes
            #14.3 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:41 PM EDT

            What these dummies did to get a few dollars, and IF THEY REALLY DID IT, no way can we place them in the category of what RICH WHITE MEN DO! They kill my the HUNDRED of THOUSANDS, use Nuclear, and Chemical Warfare, then leave millions, mentally disturbed, maimed and handicapped.

            NONE OF IT is EXCUSABLE, but White folks out number People of Color, 1000 to 1, in killings and Grand Larceny!

            • 2 votes
            #14.4 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:46 PM EDT

            What a crock of brainwashed BS.... Fact is that blacks and other minorities are given ample and often free opportunities to improve their lot, thanks to generous and long-running affirmative action programs. If someone chooses to stay "down", it's a choice nowadays.

            • 3 votes
            #14.5 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:59 AM EDT

            Hey Marine8541, I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY with you regarding the missed opportunities that many black men ignore! Problem is, PARENT'S are NOT parenting these days, and the AGE women have their children doesn't have a thing to do with it, it's ALL about BEING RESPONSIBLE, and being a DISCIPLINARIAN'S, not their FRIENDS!

            I come from a very poor background and a LARGE FAMILY! My mom was TOUGH on us, I believe she would have put Drill Sergeants in the Military to shame, SHE DID NOT PLAY! I was that way with my son's, and both are twice my size, yet get nervous when they come around me, especially if they've done something wrong! I'm sorry, it's how PARENTS need to be, otherwise, the children run over and through you! What I see in these young black kids today, could NEVER HAPPEN in my Era, and I'm 64 yrs old and BLACK!

            Fact is, Truth is, White Folks get slaps on the hand for their wrongs, perfect example is WALL STREET and the Bush Administration! If the average Person of Color THOUGHT about doing what they did and still do, our butts would be underneath the jail house! You guys DO have the advantage, for most of you are NOT punished as harshly as a Person of Color. You would have to do some SERIOUS crimes, like being a Serial Killer or Rapist, before you're thrown under!

            I acknowledge People of Color Faults, why can't you be honest about what White folks get away with, live to tell about it, and can get almost any job their hearts desire!

            • 1 vote
            #14.6 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:05 PM EDT
            Reply

            If they did this and we KNOW they did it dont waste courts time and tax dollars just kill the bastards

            • 3 votes
            Reply#15 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:40 PM EDT

            Where are Jessy and Al. Their boys are at it again.

            • 2 votes
            Reply#16 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:54 PM EDT
            sirihsDeleted

            beat them and set them on fire...............

            • 2 votes
            Reply#18 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:40 PM EDT
            Comment author avatarJudd-2749800Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

            This happened because Brick Odumma wants to tax guns and because the owner of the establishment doesn't really own his own business he didn't really do that so these wackos decided it was okay to set it on fire and kill 5 people it sure isn't there fault but anyway I thought they was purple.

              Reply#19 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:45 PM EDT

              I'm glad you found a way to blame it on Obama. I was a little worried.

                #19.1 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:43 PM EDT
                Reply

                You've got to be kidding me,The Guy who raped and murder little Sarah is Reportedly White,and No comment about Race,and now you want to make this out to be racial,evil has no color

                • 1 vote
                Reply#20 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:03 PM EDT

                ,The Guy who raped and murder little Sarah is Reportedly White

                The authorities have absolutely no idea who killed Sarah. So how do they know he was white?

                • 1 vote
                #20.1 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:48 PM EDT

                The FBI Profile of the Killer is he's a White male,just like most Crimes of this nature seem to be by mostly White males,As an american against Violence,I don't care what colour the Killer is,I want them off the street,but if you think your safer being around only whites,that's your right,I'm safer around non-violent people.Ted Buddy was a Good looking white male,he murder 113 young girls before he was captured,he beat them over the head with a tire iron,I say Evil has no color,no matter what you think.

                  #20.2 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 3:17 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  HA

                    Reply#21 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:37 PM EDT

                    Doesn't matter what their color is! If found guilty, put them to death in the same manner their victims were killed. No appeals, no nothing. It's not fair to the taxpayers of this country to allow douche bags like this to have three hots and a cot, free medical and dental for the rest of their lives. To many bleeding hearts in this country!!

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#22 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:45 PM EDT
                    Comment author avatarmike-1232495Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                    If Obama has sons they would look like them.

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#23 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:48 PM EDT

                    With so much tragedy happening in Colorado, with white folks freaking out, they have me wondering if these black men really did it, just to take the spotlight off white folks. They did not say what, how or where, the information they have, that led them to these men.

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#24 - Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:52 PM EDT

                    In the first article I read about this crime,. there were some survivors. Perhaps they identified them, because another article I just read says they frequented the bar 4 or 5 nights a week so all the regulars would have known them, or at least their faces enough to identify them. Maybe there were also cameras in or around the building.

                      #24.1 - Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:14 AM EDT
                      Reply

                      First of all, what does it matter what color the murderers are? Why does everything have to turn racist and political anyway. The comments about how you can tell their color by their last names are so inaccurate. I know a man whose name is Joe Hill ( just like one of the accused) and he is white, so it doesn't matter. And also saying that more blacks kill than white, did you ever stop to think what color the first human murderer was? Yes, Cain was white.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#25 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:03 AM EDT

                      How do you know Cain was white! Are you saying Adam and Eve were white also? LOL!

                      • 1 vote
                      #25.1 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:25 AM EDT
                      JohnnySueDeleted
                      Reply
                      Comment author avatarBig Daddy-771288Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                      I wonder if these three, would look like Obama's son......If he had a son.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#26 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:16 AM EDT

                      Three less Ofukya supporters--or will they let them cast ballots anyway? Where are Sharpton and Jackson when you need them?

                        Reply#27 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:23 AM EDT

                        Stupid post, 5 people are dead, what's your problem and what is your point. Howdy Ho, stuck on stupid.

                          #27.1 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:11 PM EDT
                          Reply

                          Wow. Just in case you thought racism was dead in America.

                          They were black. They could have been white. The Aurora killer was white. Where were you morons then?

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#28 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:01 AM EDT

                          So where are Jessie and Sharpton now? Oh yeah these people killed were white.

                          • 1 vote
                          #28.1 - Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:14 PM EDT
                          Reply
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