assault
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Former Centennial teacher sentenced to 60 years for sexually assaulting children
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A former teacher at a Centennial private school was sentenced to 60 years in prison Friday for sexually assaulting multiple children in his care. Christopher Ballard, 28, of Lakewood, had been charged with nearly 24 sexual offenses against 12 child victims at the Journey Academy, where he had been employed since 2021, according to a…
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Colorado Supreme Court signals intervention in 4 ongoing cases
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The Colorado Supreme Court recently signaled that it may intervene in four cases from various trial courts, two criminal and two civil. At least four of the court’s seven members must agree to initiate the process of granting relief in a case outside the usual appellate procedure. The cases address an expert’s insight into child-parent…
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Appeals court orders new trial after Denver judge wrongly let defendant represent self
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A Denver judge incorrectly found that a defendant understood what he was doing by giving up his constitutional right to counsel, Colorado’s second-highest court concluded on Thursday in overturning the man’s assault convictions. Criminal defendants are allowed to represent themselves at trial by waiving their right to counsel. However, such a waiver must be “voluntary,…
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Appeals court overturns Denver strangulation conviction for improper expert testimony
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Colorado’s second-highest court reversed a Denver man’s assault conviction on Thursday, finding an expert’s testimony about the potential risks of strangulation had no bearing on the facts of the case. Phillip L. Bauereiss and the victim got into an argument. Jurors heard that Bauereiss allegedly took a dog leash and wrapped it around the victim’s…
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Denver man arrested after viral ‘No Kings’ rally tripping incident
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Editor’s note: The Denver Police Department released a statement Tuesday that Jose Cardenas was not the man who allegedly tripped the screaming man. Cardenas was allegedly the suspect who stole the sunglasses and was arrested on suspicion of theft. The alleged tripper is still unidentified. The Denver Police Department arrested a man in connection to…
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By 2-1, appeals court takes no issue with constitutional violation from defendant’s absence at hearing
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Colorado’s second-highest court, by a 2-1 vote, concluded that an Adams County judge’s order granting crime victim restitution was valid, even though the defendant was absent from a hearing which he had a constitutional right to attend. The U.S. and Colorado constitutions guarantee criminal defendants the right to be present at all “critical stages” of…
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Federal judge permits excessive force claim to proceed against prison employees
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A federal judge on Wednesday agreed two state prison employees could be sued for allegedly using excessive force against an incarcerated man. Jared Lee Chavez, representing himself, alleged “Sgt. Smith” and “Sgt. Grilli” violently pulled Chavez from his cell at Sterling Correctional Facility in February 2022. Chavez allegedly complied with orders, but the defendants slammed…
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Adams County assault conviction overturned for improper testimony
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Colorado’s second-highest court overturned a man’s assault conviction and seven-year prison sentence last week, concluding an Adams County judge admitted improper testimony from a nurse who documented the victim’s account. After the alleged assault, the victim went to a hospital by ambulance. She spoke to an emergency medical technician about her injuries, which was recorded…
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Appeals court overturns carjacking-related convictions after evidence error
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Colorado’s second-highest court overturned some of a defendant’s carjacking-related convictions on Thursday, finding Arapahoe County prosecutors failed to establish that his text messages apparently confessing to the crime were admissible as evidence. The three-judge Court of Appeals panel also concluded the search warrant used to obtain information from T-Mobile was unconstitutionally broad, with some judges…
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Colorado Supreme Court to hear case about relevance of consensual bondage activity
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The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will review whether evidence of a defendant’s recent plans for BDSM activity with his alleged victim was relevant to his theory that he did not intend to cause serious bodily injury. At least three of the court’s seven members must agree to take up a case…
