judge john neiley
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Couple’s notarized agreement did not create common law marriage, appeals court says
A Garfield County couple’s signed, notarized document attesting to their common law marriage does not mean they were actually married, Colorado’s second-highest court ruled last week. In contrast to a formal, licensed marriage, Colorado recognizes common law marriages between two people who mutually agree to enter into a marriage and then engage in conduct reflecting…
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Rio Blanco County sheriff’s officials can be held liable for jail suicide, appeals court rules
The immunity that Colorado law broadly affords to government entities does not shield employees of the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office from being sued for the death of a jail detainee, Colorado’s second-highest court ruled on Thursday. On her third day in the county jail, Catherine Rowell died by suicide. Sheriff’s personnel allegedly failed to…
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Colorado appeals court overturns convictions after Garfield County judge violated right to counsel
A Garfield County judge failed to follow the proper procedure when he effectively forced a criminal defendant to represent himself at trial, prompting the state’s Court of Appeals to reverse the convictions on Thursday. A jury convicted Tony Lee Bergman Jr. of multiple offenses related to the possession of child pornography. During the three years…