Geiger Murder Suspect Lettsome’s Plea Deal Decision Deadline Extended

The deadline for murder suspect Renell Lettsome to accept or reject a plea deal offered to him has been extended until April 18, according to V.I. Assistant Attorney General Ernest Bason, Chief of the Legal Division for St. Thomas and St. John.

Lettsome, 21, is accused of bludgeoning St. John businessman David Geiger to death, severely beating Geiger’s teenage son, Nathan, and setting their Estate Grunwald home on fire during the early morning of October 29, 2005.

Lettsome faces 12 criminal charges with penalties ranging from life in prison without parole for first degree murder to a minimum of five years for second degree murder.

“He asked for an extension and he will now have until April 18 to make his decision,” said Bason, who refused to comment on the specifics of the plea offer until after Lettsome’s decision.

The murder suspect also asked for a psychological evaluation and the services of a private investigator, Bason explained. “These are routine things that are within his rights,” the assistant attorney general said.

Lettsome’s defense attorney, Pedro Williams, did not return calls from St. John Tradewinds for comment.