dna testing

Mesa County judge wrongly ordered murder defendant to pay $3,600 for DNA testing, says appeals court

Dec 2, 2024

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Michael Karlik

A Mesa County judge improperly ordered a defendant to pay nearly $3,600 for DNA testing in his homicide prosecution without a legal basis for doing so, Colorado’s second-highest court ruled last month. Richard Alan VanderVelde pleaded guilty in 2023 to second-degree murder and related offenses after killing his mother, Sylvia Frens, in 2018. Although VanderVelde was…
Colorado expands access to DNA testing after criminal convictions

Oct 2, 2023

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Hannah Metzger

A new state law took effect on Sunday, increasing eligibility for people convicted of felonies to receive DNA testing. Before Sunday, only people who are actively incarcerated could receive DNA testing. Now, it’s open to people on felony parole, registered sex offenders, people who have completed their sentences, and people who were found not guilty…
Colorado expands access to DNA testing after criminal convictions

Mar 10, 2023

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Hannah Metzger

Colorado updated its post-conviction DNA testing law for the first time since it was established in 2003, with the signage of House Bill 1034 on Friday. Under the current law, only three people in Colorado have been exonerated of crimes for DNA-related reasons in the last two decades. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2023, the bill will increase eligibility for…
Colorado legislature unanimously OKs expanding post-conviction DNA testing

Feb 22, 2023

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Hannah Metzger

In the 20 years since Colorado’s post-conviction DNA testing law was established, only three people have been exonerated for DNA-related reasons. Colorado lawmakers want to change that with House Bill 1034, an effort to expand access to post-conviction DNA testing. The state legislature unanimously approved the bill on Wednesday with the Senate’s final vote. Now, the…
Colorado sailor killed during Pearl Harbor attack to be buried at national cemetery

Jul 31, 2022

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DAVID MULLEN The Gazette

Eighty years after a World War II sailor from Colorado died at Pearl Harbor, his remains are finally being laid to rest. The life of Water Tender First Class Milo Phillips, who was killed in the infamous attack on Dec. 7, 1941, will be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu…
BIDLACK: Stop hiding the tools of death

Jan 30, 2018

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Hal Bidlack

If you want to start an argument in a phone booth with two people, the best subject to bring up might be the death penalty. Recent polling both nationally and here in Colorado tells us that just about half of Americans (49 percent nationally and 47 percent here) support the death penalty, while about 47…
Prosecutor Michael Dougherty jumps in Democratic primary for attorney general

May 24, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Michael Dougherty, the deputy district attorney for Jefferson and Gilpin counties, announced this week he’s seeking the Democratic nomination for attorney general in next year’s election. “The attorney general has to be above politics and do the right thing for all the people of Colorado,” Dougherty said. “Consumer protection, public safety, and transparency of government…
Hundreds sign Colorado Senate GOP’s petition to save alleged wolf hybrid Capone

Mar 20, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Colorado Senate Republicans want Aurora officials to know they’re standing with the owners of Capone, the dog being held by the city’s animal shelter on suspicion the longtime family pet is a wolf hybrid. And by Monday afternoon, hundreds of people had signed their names to an online petition started by the Senate GOP asking…
Lawmakers ask Aurora to shelve plans to euthanize suspected wolf hybrid Capone

Mar 17, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Four state lawmakers on Thursday asked the Aurora animal shelter to turn over records involving a suspected wolf hybrid named Capone and put any plans to euthanize the animal on hold. “As members of the Colorado Legislature, we are concerned about the impoundment of Tracy Abbato’s family pet, Capone,” state Sen. Tim Neville, R-Littleton, and…