Author: Jenny Deam
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Routt County DA’s office faces multiple investigations after it drops high-profile rape case
Routt County’s district attorney and deputy district attorney are now under increasing scrutiny on multiple fronts for their handling of the alleged drugging, rape and near-strangulation of a nationally ranked cross-country skier. The fallout from their decision not to prosecute the suspect in Kiersten May’s sexual assault case despite medical, forensic and toxicology evidence that…
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Missy Woods accepts plea deal, avoids trial on 102 felony counts
The former top Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist accused of altering and deleting DNA evidence in scores of criminal cases across the state for years pleaded guilty to four criminal counts Tuesday in Jefferson County. Yvonne “Missy” Woods, 65, changed her plea rather than face trial on 102 felony charges that included one count…
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Colorado legislators pass bill to strengthen sex crime victim protections
A Colorado bill that supporters say would strengthen victim protections and mandate law enforcement training on how trauma can affect survivors of sex crimes and domestic violence is on its way to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk for signing. Senate Bill 26-095 recently passed unanimously in the Senate and was mostly unopposed in the House, where…
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Colorado legislators pass bill that sponsors say would strengthen sex crime victim protections
A Colorado bill that supporters say would strengthen victim protections and mandate law enforcement training on how trauma can affect survivors of sex crimes and domestic violence is on its way to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk for signing. Senate Bill 26-095 recently passed unanimously in the Senate and was mostly unopposed in the House, where…
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Dismissal sought in Michael Clark’s second trial
The murder conviction of Michael Clark should be dismissed due to a 32-year delay that led to crucial evidence being lost or destroyed, a bungled police investigation and “outrageous conduct” at the state crime lab, according to defense motion filed late Friday afternoon. Clark, now 50, was convicted of first-degree murder in October 2012 in…
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Assisted-living facility in Colorado faced minimal fine after death of 73-year-old man
On Jan. 6, just after 8:30 p.m., Robert Dutkevitch rolled his wheelchair onto the smoking patio outside The Argyle assisted-living facility in Denver. Minutes later, the 73-year-old suddenly slumped in his chair, his head lolling to the side. He then fell headfirst into some rocks, not moving. Another resident outside went in to report what…
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Colorado lawmakers tackle legislation on sexual assault
A panel of Colorado lawmakers on Monday unanimously approved a bill that supporters say will offer protections and support to victims of domestic violence, stalking, sex trafficking and sexual assault, including mandatory training for law enforcement on trauma. The measure, Senate Bill 26-095, would also allow accusers in those crimes to potentially testify via closed-circuit…
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Toll to sexual assault survivors rises if they feel blamed and disbelieved
Natalie, a single mother, dropped off her son at daycare, went to therapy and then returned home. She swallowed a fistful of pills, washing them down with a six-pack of beer. She was ready to end her life. “I just wanted the pain to go away,” she said. Brittney Smith, an artist living in Colorado…
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Colorado rape cases rarely result in an arrest and prosecution
Authorities say they are especially difficult cases. In Colorado, most go nowhere. Over the past decade, for every 10 reports of rape, there is only one arrest. Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual violence. Kiersten May remembered a fuzziness overtake her as Saturday night slid into Sunday morning at the remote Colorado mountain campsite…
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State audit: Rape kit backlog reduced but more work needed to hit goal
In the past year, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has slashed the time it takes to process DNA collected in sexual assault cases, but the agency still is far short of its turnaround goal, the state auditor reported on Wednesday. While praising the progress made in the past year, the audit showed that the 190…