Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty is embarking on what’s likely the most difficult period of his long career as a prosecutor this week as he leads the investigation into Monday’s mass shooting at a King Soopers store. Dougherty, a 49-year-old New York native, was first appointed to his job as Boulder’s top prosecutor by […]
prosecutors
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Jason Dunn, Colorado’s top federal prosecutor, will resign Feb. 28
Colorado’s U.S. attorney, Jason Dunn, plans to resign as the Biden administration prepares to appoint new top federal prosecutors. Dunn, an appointee of President Donald Trump, said resignation will be effective Feb. 28. He joined the U.S. attorney’s office in 2018, and he declined to speak of his future plans. “Serving as United States Attorney […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News
District attorney in northeast Colorado pleads guilty to drug charge, misconduct
A district attorney who serves a large area of northeastern Colorado pleaded guilty Monday to a drug charge stemming from an investigation by the state’s attorney general. Brittny Lewton, who serves Colorado’s 13th Judicial District, struck a deal with prosecutors in the attorney general’s office and pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, unlawful […]
Posted inSun Investigation
Colorado’s 2015 law changing how officer-involved shootings are reviewed still lets police agencies investigate themselves
Five years ago, Colorado lawmakers passed a bill that banned police departments and sheriff’s officers from investigating themselves without any outside assistance after one of their officers or deputies shoots someone. But here’s the hitch: the legislation, Senate Bill 219, specifically states “shooting,” meaning it doesn’t apply if someone dies at the hands of law […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Jefferson County’s Democratic DA’s race gets ugly — again
My mail ballot arrived on Wednesday as it always has, safe and sound and free from roving gangs out to commit voter fraud. That left me to ponder the primary races and for whom to cast my vote. And one race in particular jumped off the paper. The Democratic primary for First Judicial District Attorney. […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Colorado poised to revisit murder law that can send people to prison for life — even when they didn’t kill anyone
Jeff Johnson. Lisl Auman. Curtis A. Brooks. All three were convicted of first-degree murder in Colorado, which carries an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole. None of them killed anyone. But Colorado’s felony murder law, similar to statutes across the nation, allows for defendants to be charged and found guilty of first-degree murder […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Prosecutors drop official misconduct charge against Eagle County’s sheriff, saying they can’t prove the case
An official misconduct charge brought against Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek has been dismissed in what his attorney says is a misunderstanding with the district attorney that could have been resolved over a cup of coffee. Instead, the case went to a grand jury, which over the summer charged van Beek with misusing funds. […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News
Colorado child porn suspect posted “hunting guide” online listing mosque and synagogue addresses
By Kathleen Foody, The Associated Press A Colorado man facing federal child pornography charges was interviewed by the FBI in January after posting a “hunting guide” online listing mosque and synagogue addresses, authorities said Wednesday. Federal prosecutors have charged 29-year-old Wesley Gilreath with possessing hundreds of photos and videos of child pornography. U.S. Attorney Jason […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News
16-year-old charged as an adult in STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting
CASTLE ROCK — The 16-year-old suspect in the deadly shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch on Wednesday was charged as an adult, facing allegations of first-degree murder. Alec McKinney’s attorneys immediately launched an effort to return the case to juvenile court, setting up a mini-trial for a judge to determine how to proceed. That process, […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Transportation
Texas man accused in fiery I-70 tractor-trailer crash told authorities his brakes had failed; four killed are identified
GOLDEN — A speeding semitrailer whose driver appeared to one witness to be “wide eyed” and “terrified” passed a truck ramp before plowing into other vehicles on a crowded highway near Denver, killing four people and injuring at least six others, according to court documents released Saturday. The truck driver, 23-year-old Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos, of […]