Levie Diecidue Sentenced in 2022 New Year’s Eve Double Homicide

DENVER—On New Year’s Eve 2022, 24-year-old Devonte Phillips and 29-year-old Hiyaw Zewdie were shot and killed at the Cabin Tap House in Denver’s LoDo area. Prosecutors with the Denver District Attorney’s Office charged then-22-year-old Levi Diecidue with their murders. On Friday, June 30, 2023, the Honorable Judge Nikea Bland sentenced Diecidue to serve a 62-year sentence in the Department of Corrections. Diecidue pleaded guilty to two counts of second degree murder and to one count of second degree assault on June 22, 2023.

Shortly after midnight, Phillips got into an argument with a group of men who became upset after being accidentally bumped into in the upstairs bar area or dance floor. Phillips and the men later went down to the basement where Phillips was attacked. Phillips eventually came upstairs and another disturbance erupted over what had happened to Phillips in the basement. During this second incident, Diecidue pulled out a handgun and shot at Phillips and other patrons on the crowded dance floor. Zewdie, who was not associated with anyone in the confrontation, was struck by one of the bullets and died on scene. Two other men sustained gunshot wounds from the incident. They were transported to Denver Health Medical and survived.

This is Denver District Court case number 22CR000255.

About the Denver DA’s Office:
Our mission is to professionally and competently prosecute crimes and investigate criminal activity on behalf of the people of the State of Colorado and to seek equal justice for all in the criminal justice system. Our mission includes the prevention and deterrence of crimes, support of the well-being of victims, participation in the community, transparency, accountability, and improvement of the criminal justice system to provide fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

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