self-defense
-
Eagle County convictions reversed for prosecutors’ misconduct
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court reversed an Eagle County man’s convictions earlier this month because a trial judge permitted a pair of prosecutors – including one who is now running for district attorney – to misstate the law on self-defense to jurors. A jury acquitted Robert Fergus-Jean of more serious offenses like assault and attempted murder, but convicted him…
-
Eagle County convictions reversed for prosecutors’ misconduct
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court reversed an Eagle County man’s convictions earlier this month because a trial judge permitted a pair of prosecutors — including one who is now running for district attorney — to misstate the law on self-defense to jurors. A jury acquitted Robert Fergus-Jean of more serious offenses like assault and attempted murder, but convicted him…
-
Eagle County convictions reversed for prosecutors’ misconduct
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court reversed an Eagle County man’s convictions earlier this month because a trial judge permitted a pair of prosecutors — including one who is now running for district attorney — to misstate the law on self-defense to jurors. A jury acquitted Robert Fergus-Jean of more serious offenses like assault and attempted murder, but convicted him…
-
Colorado Democrats seek stricter requirements for concealed carry permits; Senate panel OKs ban on using cellphones while driving | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
—
by
Today is Feb. 14, 2024, and here’s what you need to know: A panel of House lawmakers on Tuesday approved, on an 8-3 party-line vote, a bill that would require stricter requirements for those who hold or want to obtain concealed weapons permits. The measure from House Majority Leader Monica Duran of Wheat Ridge and…
-
Federal judge rules Circle K could fire 72-year-old store clerk who tried to stop robber
—
by
A federal judge ruled last month that Circle K lawfully fired a 72-year-old convenience store cashier after she attempted to stop a knife-wielding robber from stealing cigarettes. Mary Ann Moreno was a 16-year employee of the company and was behind the register at a Westminster Circle K store when a man holding two hunting knives…
-
Appeals court orders new trial for National Western Complex murder based on improper jury instruction
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court last month ordered a new trial for a man who stabbed and killed his victim during a fight at the National Western Complex, concluding the trial judge failed to give a key jury instruction. In June 2020, Christopher G. Smith and Jared Villaluz-Jones were residing at a temporary homeless shelter at the complex…
-
Appeals court orders prison riot charges reinstated against Fremont County inmate
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court on Thursday concluded a trial judge and a magistrate in Fremont County both mistakenly dismissed prison rioting charges against an incarcerated man when they should have found probable cause existed to proceed to trial. During a preliminary hearing in the case of Dreion M. Dearing, where the prosecution needed to demonstrate probable…
-
Colorado Supreme Court to hear criminal appeals on racial bias, ‘Make My Day’ defense
—
by
The Colorado Supreme Court announced earlier this month that it will review multiple criminal cases, with issues ranging from racial bias in jury selection and the meaning of a parent-child relationship to the law justifying deadly force against home intruders. At least three of the court’s seven members must agree to hear a case on…
-
10th Circuit overturns sentence for gang shooting because judge incorrectly applied law
—
by
The federal appeals court based in Denver overturned a defendant’s seven-year sentence related to a gang shooting because the trial judge did not understand Colorado law when he explained why self-defense did not apply. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico sentenced Lougary Eddington to 84 months in prison for being a felon in possession…
-
Colorado appeals court overturns menacing conviction due to Boulder County judge’s error
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court last week overturned a woman’s felony menacing conviction because a Boulder County judge effectively barred jurors from hearing evidence suggesting she acted to defend herself against a sexual assault. In Michelle Nicole Couch’s 2019 trial, jurors learned that Couch had twice pulled a knife on the alleged victim while the two were…
