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Tag

first-degree murder

Curtis Davis-Barnes

Man gets life in prison for Christmas Day murder in Aurora

A man who shot and killed a family friend on Christmas Day after losing money to him in a game will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Curtis Davis-Barnes

Curtis Davis-Barnes


On Feb. 18, an Arapahoe County jury found Curtis Davis-Barnes, 38, guilty of first-degree murder and other charges in the Dec. 25, 2019, death of Aarion Derritt, who was 39 years old when he was shot to death. Arapahoe District Court Judge Darren Vahle immediately sentenced Davis-Barnes to life without parole in the Colorado Department of Corrections, the mandatory penalty for a first-class felony under Colorado law.

“It’s hard to believe that a friendly holiday gathering would end in murder, but that it is exactly what happened here,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “This defendant was unhappy that he was losing a game, so he calmly retrieved a firearm and shot the victim to death. I am glad we were able to obtain justice for the family of the victim, although nothing will bring back Mr. Derritt.”

At 2 a.m. on Dec. 25, 2019, Aurora police were called to a home where a man had been shot. They found Derritt in the basement, with a gunshot to the head and several more to the torso.

The homeowner told officers that family and friends had come together for a Christmas party. Several went downstairs and were playing poker and dice. Witnesses said that as the games progressed, Davis-Barnes lost $600-$700 to Derritt and became angry.

Davis-Barnes went upstairs and came back down with a handgun. He shot Derritt in the head and chest, grabbed cash out of his pockets and fled the home in car.

“By all accounts, Mr. Derritt did nothing to provoke the defendant. He did nothing to instigate a confrontation or incite any violence,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Jason Siers, who tried the case with Senior Deputy District Attorney Casey Brown. “He was playing a game, and he ended up shot dead when he should have been able to go home and celebrate Christmas.”

“Mr. Derritt was the life of the party, and his family was crushed by the unexpected loss of their beloved son, brother, and father,” Brown said. “Mr. Derritt gifted a portion of his earnings back to the defendant prior to the shooting, but the defendant was dissatisfied with Mr. Derritt’s generosity. The defendant eliminated any possibility of Mr. Derritt surviving, and he spent the remainder of Mr. Derritt’s money hiding from police.”

The jury convicted Davis-Barnes of:
• 1 count Murder 1 after deliberation, a Class 1 felony
• Aggravated robbery, a Class 3 felony
• Felony menacing, a Class 5 felony
• Criminal possession of identification documents, a Class 1 misdemeanor

Man gets life in prison for Christmas Day murder in Aurora was last modified: February 24th, 2022 by Eric Ross
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Cameron Scott Costello

Aurora murderer sentenced to life in prison

An Aurora man who shot another man in the back of the head was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.

Cameron Scott Costello

Cameron Scott Costello


Arapahoe County District Court Judge Elizabeth Weishaupl on Thursday imposed the statutory sentence on Cameron Scott Costello, 26, for the murder of Brandon Brabson, who was 33 years old.

Brabson was shot and killed June 23, 2020, at the Sable Cove Apartment complex in Aurora. On July 28, a jury found Costello guilty of first-degree murder in Brabson’s death.

“This man with a gun took matters into his own hands and executed a father of three,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “This sentence is appropriate for a murder in cold blood.

“No sentence will bring Mr. Brabson back to his family, but perhaps they can find some healing in putting this phase behind them.”

Brabson was at the apartment complex that night trying to speak with his former girlfriend, who had a restraining order against him.

The former girlfriend was disturbed that Brabson was trying to contact her and asked for assistance from friends and neighbors in urging him to leave.

Costello was at the apartment complex to deliver something to his ex-wife, who lived there. He was seen on surveillance video with Brabson moments before he was shot.

When Brabson’s ex-girlfriend heard the gunshot, she and some people who were with her rushed to see what had happened and found Brabson’s body alone and bleeding. They believed he had killed himself, but no gun was found; Brabson had no weapon.

After Aurora police identified Costello, he was arrested. He had with him the gun that had killed Brabson.

Brabson’s mother and sister spoke to the court during sentencing on Sept. 9.

Brabson’s sister spoke of the loss felt by his three daughters, and of the hole in their lives without a father.

“My brother, Brandon, was not a threat to (the defendant). Brandon certainly didn’t deserve that bullet that (the defendant) shot from behind him, straight into his brain stem … my brother, Brandon, went down like a soldier when (the defendant) shot him in such a cowardly way.”

Brabson’s mother told the judge Costello “ripped my heart out forever.” She spoke of unanswered questions and how her son’s murder “haunts me every hour of every day and every hour of every night since Brandon’s execution.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jake Adkins prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Justin Friedberg. Adkins acknowledged there seemed to be very little motive for the murder.

“We have never been able to answer why.” Adkins said during his brief sentencing argument. “Mr. Brabson was executed in the street for very little benefit. … It was a callous and senseless act that shows utter disregard for the value of human life.”

Aurora murderer sentenced to life in prison was last modified: September 9th, 2021 by Eric Ross
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Joseph McCaughin

Aurora man convicted of murder in shooting death of ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend

A man who shot and killed the new boyfriend of his former girlfriend was found guilty of first-degree murder in the boyfriend’s death.

Joseph McCaughin

Joseph McCaughin


An Arapahoe County jury on Wednesday deliberated about three hours before returning the verdict against Joseph McCaughin, 20, of Aurora, who killed Ryan Robertson.

“It’s tragic to see yet another young man’s life cut short by the petty jealousy of a man with a gun,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “Not only did this defendant kill another person, but he put little kids in harm’s way as he was shooting. Clearly he is a danger to this community.”

On May 6, 2019, McCaughin killed Robertson, who was 16 years old when he died.

Earlier that day, McCaughin had broken into the home of his former girlfriend, who had begun dating Robertson. He told her, “If I ever see (Robertson) again, I will kill you and him.”

That evening, McCaughin and Robertson encountered each other near Wagon Trail Park in Aurora. Robertson had two friends with him. McCaughin and Robertson exchanged words, and then McCaughin shot six to seven times at Robertson before running away. Robertson was shot twice and died from his injuries. When McCaughin started firing, surveillance video and witnesses confirmed he was firing towards Independence Elementary School, where numerous adults and children were outside and in the line of fire, though fortunately no one else was injured.

Aurora Police found McCaughin in Georgia eight days later.

“McCaughin made his intent and his plan crystal clear,” Deputy District Attorney Grant Grosgebauer told the jury. “He went looking for his victim and he was carrying a gun.”

Grosgebauer tried the case with Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Dawson.

“This defendant told police — and his mother — that he wasn’t the shooter, and that he was at the Southlands mall at the time of the shooting. Witnesses and his cellphone placed him at the scene. At trial, out of desperation he claimed that this murder was in self-defense, but the evidence proved otherwise,” Dawson said.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 9. The statutory penalty for first-degree murder is life in prison without possibility of parole.

Aurora man convicted of murder in shooting death of ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend was last modified: September 3rd, 2021 by Eric Ross
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Alex Christopher Ewing

Murderer of Aurora’s Bennett family sentenced to life in prison

It took 37 years, but on Tuesday, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served.

Alex Christopher Ewing

Alex Christopher Ewing


Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle sentenced Alex Christopher Ewing, 61, for killing the couple and their 7-year-old daughter in 1984. Vahle imposed life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years for each of the three murders, to be served consecutive to Ewing’s prison term in Nevada and to each other.

“I have seen all kinds of evil and wickedness … nothing compares to the level of depravity that your actions show in this case,” Vahle told Ewing. “There is no punishment that is too harsh for you … and I will do everything in my power to make sure you never draw a free breath ever again.”

Bruce was 27 years old and Debra was 26 in 1984. They had recently purchased a new home in Aurora for their young family, consisting of Melissa and a younger sister who was 3 years old.

On the night of Jan. 15, a stranger broke into their home and viciously assaulted and attacked the family. Only the youngest daughter survived, with life-threatening injuries.

For years the case was cold, until in 2018 a DNA profile from semen the killer left at the scene was matched to Ewing. He was brought to Colorado to face trial for the deaths of the Bennett family.

Ewing “massacred a family but left a key to his identity,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Garrik Storgaard told the jury. “There is no innocent explanation for how you explain all of the evidence.”

The jury agreed, and on Aug. 6, 2021, they found Ewing guilty of murder in the three deaths.

During sentencing Aug. 17, members of the Bennett and Large families submitted impact statements and came to the courtroom. A handful spoke in court, including the surviving daughter.

“I didn’t just lose my parents and my sister,” she said. “I lost the person who I was supposed to be.”

District Attorney John Kellner filed the murder charges against Ewing when he headed up the Cold Case Unit in the office. He stayed on the prosecution team with Storgaard and Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Brewer.

“This case impacted not just the victims, but it also terrorized an entire community,” he said. “A life sentence feels too light, but that is the most the justice system can offer. Thankfully, this community, these families and everyone impacted by the horrific crimes now knows this defendant will never hurt anyone ever again.”

Murderer of Aurora’s Bennett family sentenced to life in prison was last modified: August 17th, 2021 by Eric Ross
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Travon Sanders

Life in prison for Aurora man who killed sister’s boyfriend

An Aurora man who shot and killed his sister’s boyfriend will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder he committed.

Travon Sanders

Travon Sanders


Arapahoe County District Court Judge Darren Vahle sentenced Travon Sanders, 34, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the March 16, 2018, murder of David Washington. Washington was 35 years old.

In June, a jury found Sanders guilty of first-degree murder. He was also convicted of felony menacing.

Sanders was living in his mother’s home in Aurora, near the intersection of Sable Boulevard and East Colfax Avenue. Washington was also living there with his girlfriend, who was Sanders’ sister.

Sanders’ mother and sister were home during the shooting and told Aurora detectives there did not seem to be an argument that precipitated it. Sanders did not say anything to Washington before shooting him in the face.

Sanders told police he felt disrespected by his family. The night before the shooting, he told his mother “I’m sick of this.”

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrew Steers and Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristina Hayden.

“The defendant acted out of jealousy and resentment when he murdered Mr. Washington in cold blood,” Hayden said. “We are thankful that Mr. Washington’s family has the justice they so deserve.”

Life in prison for Aurora man who killed sister’s boyfriend was last modified: July 30th, 2021 by Eric Ross
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18th Judicial District Attorney

Jury finds Elizabeth man guilty of murdering future mother-in-law

An Elizabeth man who stabbed his fiancée’s mother to death was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree murder.

The jury deliberated about three hours after a six-day trial before Elbert County District Court Judge Gary Kramer. Defendant Christopher Leary, 21, stood as the judge announced the jury’s verdict in the death of June Anderson, who was 56 when she was killed.

“This is a young man who made the decision to stab to death another human being, and he calmly carried out that action,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “He forever took his victim from her family, and nothing can change that. The community is safer with him behind bars, where he belongs.”

In 2018, Leary was living in Anderson’s home with his girlfriend and their newborn son. On Oct. 31, there was an argument over a mess in the kitchen. Leary went for a walk to cool off.

“Tonight was the final straw,” Leary told an investigator late on the evening of Oct. 31. “I didn’t want her to start up again, but of course, she did. I wasn’t going to have it at all. If she says a thing, I am going to go out there and take care of this.”

Leary returned to the house. Anderson made a negative comment about her daughter, and Leary attacked Anderson. He kicked down her bedroom door and beat her.

“I have already gone too far,” he thought to himself, he later told the investigator. “If I am going to go to jail or prison, I might as well do it for something that is worth it.”

Leary left Anderson on the floor, retrieved a knife from his bedroom and stabbed her in the throat.

“No matter what the victim said, she did not deserve to die,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Doug Bechtel told the jury during closing arguments. “Her words did not warrant the defendant’s actions.”

Bechtel tried the case with Chief Deputy District Attorney Ann Tomsic.

“This is not a case of provocation,” Tomsic said. “He’d already decided to end it that day. This was murder.”

Judge Kramer set sentencing for Oct. 13. The mandatory sentence for a Class 1 felony is life in prison without possibility of parole.

Jury finds Elizabeth man guilty of murdering future mother-in-law was last modified: July 15th, 2021 by Eric Ross
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Kenneth Gallegos

Teen convicted in vape juice killing sentenced to prison

The teenager who orchestrated a vape juice robbery that led to the death of a Centennial teen was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

Kenneth Gallegos

Kenneth Gallegos


Arapahoe County District Court Judge Ben Leutwyler sentenced Kenneth Gallegos, 19, of Aurora, for his role in the murder of Lloyd Chavez IV. The victim was 18 years old and a student at Cherokee Trail High School when he was shot and killed outside his home on May 8, 2019.

A jury found Gallegos guilty April 9 of felony murder, attempted aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, and attempted theft.

“If Kenneth Gallegos lived the things he learned in kindergarten, we would not be here today,” Leutwyler said. “But for your actions, Lloyd Chavez would be alive. You set the events in motion. … I am struck by the utterly senseless decisions that were made that day.”

“The jury convicted this defendant of murder. He planned this crime and made sure it was executed, and that resulted in the needless death of a young person full of promise,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “When a gun is involved in a crime, bad things can happen, and that is what we have here.

“This sentence won’t bring Lloyd back, but perhaps his family can find some comfort in it.”

Members of Chavez’s large family were present in the courtroom for sentencing and gave statements to the court.

Chavez’s maternal grandmother read a statement from his younger sister, who was the first to come to Lloyd’s aid after he was shot.

“What happened that night has scarred me for life, and I can’t get it out of my head,” she said. “And I have to live without (Lloyd) every day of my life.”

An aunt told the judge Gallegos was a “callous, hollow, remorseless human who has shown no emotion.” She asked the judge to “give this family the justice we deserve.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Gallo tried the case with Deputy District Attorney Gwenn Sandrock.

Sandrock read a statement from Chavez’s paternal grandmother during the June 2 sentencing hearing.

“Without the defendant’s plan and execution of it, my grandson would be alive today. It has been clear to me that he is NOT sorry for what he did. I believe he is only sorry that he got caught. It made me sick to my stomach to see him the day he was found guilty and have no reaction. …

“I am justifiably asking the court that Kenneth Gallegos receive the maximum sentence allowed. Though his sentence will never be enough to compensate for a lifetime without our precious Lloyd, I believe there would be some deserved justice for our family if he is locked away for life. Even with a maximum sentence he gets to live and breathe. Our little Lloyd does not.”

Teen convicted in vape juice killing sentenced to prison was last modified: June 3rd, 2021 by Eric Ross
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Keith Allen Zotto

Aurora man who put wife’s body in trash can guilty of murder

An Aurora man who shot his wife in the face and hid her body in a garbage can in their garage has been found guilty of murder by an Arapahoe County jury.

Keith Allen Zotto

Keith Allen Zotto


Keith Allen Zotto, 46, was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder after deliberation in the death of Amber Zotto, who was 35 when she was killed. The verdict came after a five-day trial before Arapahoe County District Court Judge Joseph Whitfield.

“Absolutely this was the right outcome in this case,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “This man had no regard for a human life, even when it was his wife and the mother of his children. He stayed in that house with those kids, knowing their mother was dead in the garage. And rather than take responsibility, he tried to pretend his wife committed suicide and he somehow panicked, hid the body and then forgot what he had done.”

On July 2, 2019, Amber Zotto’s mother contacted Aurora Police to say her daughter was missing. Police went to the Zotto home. Amber Zotto’s two children told police they had not seen their mother for two days. When police called Keith Zotto, he told them he and his wife got in an argument. When he woke up the next morning, she was gone.

But when police searched the Zotto home, they found Amber Zotto’s body in a garbage can in the garage. The body was covered in debris and a gun was found in the can.

“He literally threw her away and left her to rot,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Laura Wilson told the court in her closing argument rebuttal. “When you take a gun and point it at someone’s head … you know what happens when you pull that trigger. Amber begged for her life, she put up her hands, but he pulled the trigger.”

Wilson tried the case with Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Jochum.

The mandatory penalty for Murder 1 is life in prison without possibility of parole. Sentencing is set for July 19.

Aurora man who put wife’s body in trash can guilty of murder was last modified: May 12th, 2021 by Eric Ross
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18th Judicial District Attorney

Teenage STEM shooter sentenced

The teenager who plotted and participated in a shooting at STEM School in Highlands Ranch was sentenced July 24 to life in prison plus 38 years. For a juvenile convicted of first-degree murder in Colorado, a life sentence includes with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

Douglas County District Court Judge Jeffrey Holmes sentenced Maya McKinney, aka “Alec,” to the sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections. McKinney was 16 at the time of the shootings on May 7, 2019.

Student Kendrick Castillo was killed, and six other students were shot. Two additional students in neighboring classrooms were also injured.

“This is without a doubt one of the biggest crimes in the history of Douglas County,” District Attorney George Brauchler told the court during his sentencing argument. “This was intended to be a mass murder of historic proportions. … But the defendant didn’t count on the courage and bravery that day. He didn’t count on the heroes of Room 107.

“We know unequivocally that Kendrick’s purpose in life was to save those other children in that room.”

Numerous victims, family members and supporters gave impact statements during the all-day sentencing hearing.

“Please be mindful that our scar will never go away,” a father of one of the victims said in a prepared statement. “We may get used to the suffering, but the scar runs so deep, the pain will always be there … for the rest of our lives.”

“The defendant tried to murder my child. He was responsible for the murder of my son’s classmate and friend,” the mother of another victim said. The shooters “instilled terror on an entire community, and the ripples are endless.”

Both of Kendrick Castillo’s parents addressed the court.

“This killer took away everything I had,” his mother said. “I hope he never gets out. My son’s life mattered, and this evil killer needs to pay for what he did.”

Her husband also spoke.

“You took something away from me that can never be replaced. My only purpose in life was to provide for my family, and you took all that away,” he said. “But your plan didn’t work, because you are pure evil and you were met by good. You met Kendrick Castillo.”

He added: “My life ended May 7. But Kendrick wouldn’t want me to give up. We are not victims, we are survivors.”

McKinney pleaded guilty on Feb. 7 to 15 counts:

  • first-degree murder in the death of Kendrick Castillo;
  • conspiracy to commit first-degree murder after deliberation;
  • 6 counts of attempted murder after deliberation
  • attempted murder extreme indifference (this count is amended to name everyone who was not physically shot in room 107)
  • second-degree assault (this count identifies the victims who were injured as a result of the security guard’s response to the active shooter situation)
  • conspiracy to commit arson
  • conspiracy to commit burglary
  • conspiracy to commit criminal mischief
  • 2 crime-of-violence sentence enhancers

Other charged counts were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The prosecution team consisted of District Attorney Brauchler, Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Gallo, Chief Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Gleason, Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Wilcox and Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristine Rolfes.

Charges are still pending against adult defendant Devon Erickson. Criminal charges are merely a formal accusation that an individual has committed a crime. Erickson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Teenage STEM shooter sentenced was last modified: August 6th, 2020 by Eric Ross
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Marquez Woodruff

Man sentenced for killing Aurora father of 4

A man who shot and killed his Aurora host was sentenced Friday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

Marquez Woodruff

Marquez Woodruff


Arapahoe County District Court Judge Andrew Baum sentenced Marquez Woodruff, 18, for the death of Terry Capler. Woodruff was just shy of his 17th birthday when he killed Capler, making him eligible for parole after 40 years. Capler was 36 years old when he was killed in his Aurora home.

“You made horrific choices with devastating consequences,” Baum told Woodruff.

A jury convicted Woodruff on Sept. 25 of first-degree murder in Capler’s death.

“Our legislature now has made it possible for a remorseless, cold-blooded, near-17 year-old to murder another person by shooting him four times and still be eligible to be on our streets again before the killer is 42 years old. Here, the innocent Mr. Capler will be dead forever,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Make no mistake, this killer is not required to serve anywhere near 40 years. And he likely will not. He will be allowed to apply for a special program for those juveniles who have earned long sentences through murder, and — if successfully completed — he will be presumed safe to return to our communities. This is no joke. This is our law. The Capler family deserved better. Future victims deserve better. Colorado deserves better.”

On Dec. 16, 2017, Capler’s roommate called Aurora police to report Capler had been shot. Police came to the home in the 1400 block of North Clinton Street and found Capler dead in the living room. The coroner determined Capler had been shot in the head and torso.

The roommate told police he had used Capler’s car to pick up a couple with whom Capler was friends and bring them to Capler’s house. He picked up Woodruff and Woodruff’s girlfriend.

The four spent time in the home together that evening, drinking alcohol and consuming drugs. For no apparent reason, Woodruff pulled out his gun and repeatedly fired at Capler at very close range. Woodruff and his girlfriend fled the home. The roommate hid in a bedroom and eventually called the police.

Aurora Police found Woodruff and his girlfriend by tracking the phone they used to text with Capler that night.

“Woodruff took no accountability for his decisions then and takes no accountability for Capler’s death now. In 2017, he carried a loaded gun, got high on cocaine and other drugs, and ran after shooting Terry Capler four times at very close range. He never reported the shooting – police had to find him using cell phone records,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Amy Ferrin, who tried the case with Deputy District Attorney Zoe Laird. “After testifying at trial and claiming self-defense, the defendant how claims he can’t remember anything, including the trial. His lack of remorse and unwillingness to take accountability shock the conscience.”

Capler had four children. They had messages for the judge during sentencing, along with Capler’s parents, his sister, his twin brother and others who were close to him.

“Terry was taken away from so many who loved him by a callous young man with no empathy or remorse,” one member of the extended family said.

Capler’s sister told the judge, “Terry was the glue that helped keep my family together.”

Capler’s only daughter was in the courtroom. “I lost my dad, my best friend, my rock, and my greatest supporter,” she told the judge through her tears. The defendant “took the heart from my chest.”

Man sentenced for killing Aurora father of 4 was last modified: December 27th, 2019 by Eric Ross
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