Headlines – April 27, 2023

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Three Suspects Arrested In Rock-Throwing Spree

Three high school seniors arrested in connection with a series of rock throwing incidents will appear in court this morning.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office announced Wednesday that the suspects had been taken into custody without bond.

One of the rock throwing incidents resulted in the death of 20 year-old Alexa Bartell. A large landscaping rock smashed through her windshield and caused her car to crash. 

Six other drivers in Jefferson and Boulder County reported similar attacks that happened last week after dark over a period of about three hours. Of the remaining victims, two were injured while four others reported damage to their vehicles.

In a press conference Wednesday, Sheriff’s office spokesperson Jacki Kelley said investigators followed tips from community members and used cell phone device forensics to find the three young men.

The teens were arrested at their separate homes in Arvada on Tuesday night. Kelley said they were friends who each attended different high schools.

Colorado Childcare

Colorado is on its way to rolling out universal preschool.

Families submitted their top 5 preschool preferences in January. This week, about 25,000 of those families were matched with one preschool in their top 5. Families that decline their match must submit new program choices for the next round of matching.

Governor Jared Polis said Universal preschool “will help save parents and families on average $6,000 per year.”

Families have until May 10 to accept or decline their match by logging onto UPK.Colorado.Gov.

Jeremy Webster Found Guilty In Road Rage Shooting Case

Jurors found Jeremy Webster, the man charged with fatally shooting 13-year-old Vaughn Bigelow during a road rage incident, guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday.

On June 14, 2018, Webster drove after Meghan Bigelow to the parking lot of her children’s dentist’s office.

After a confrontation, Bigelow testified that Webster shot her, her son Vaughn, and her 7-year-old son Asa.

Webster also wounded John Gale, a witness who was in the parking lot.

Webster had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His attorney told jurors he had Schizoaffective bipolar disorder.

But a court psychologist testified last week that Webster was sane at the time of the shootings.

On Wednesday, Meghan Bigelow told the court that the verdict gave closure to the case, but would never bring her son back.

Webster was sentenced to life without parole for the murder charge and over 300 years for additional charges.

Las Animas Police May Have Overlooked Officer’s Prior Abuses

The police officer who assaulted and tased Kenneth Espinoza in Las Animas last year has a 30 year history of violence say Espinoza’s attorney. 

Attorneys say Lt. Henry Trujillo was forced to resign from the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 following a sealed criminal conviction. According to official records, Trujillo’s criminal activity went as far back as 1997, when he received a felony charge for menacing with a weapon. 

Other charges over the years included Harassment, Fighting in Public and Disorderly Conduct. 

Lt. Trujillo even appeared to have initiated a high speed chase after his paraplegic brother, Richard Trujillo, whom he had pulled over for making an offensive hand gesture. As a result of Lt. Trujillo’s rough handcuffing, his brother later needed shoulder surgery.

Espinoza’s attorney’s say Lt. Trujillo was never disciplined, and alleged that the Sheriff’s Department’s actions are either incompetent or criminal.

Denver South Platte River Restoration

The Denver City Council will partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore water ecosystems along the South Platte River.

According to Denverite, the council approved a plan Monday to use $350 million towards the project that came from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Water Resource Development Act.

The restoration project will focus on a  6.5-mile stretch of the South Platte, roughly from 6th Avenue to 58th Avenue. Officials estimate that the project will take about 10 years.

Former Hygiene Firefighter Accused Of Sexual Assault

A former Hygiene Fire Department captain was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of multiple sex charges.

According to The Daily Camera, four women have accused 30-year-old Kamron Barnaby of sexual assault or unlawful sexual contact.

Two of the women were subordinates when Barnaby was a Hygiene Fire captain. They allege that while on duty, he sent them sexually harassing messages.

An affidavit states that Barnaby was allowed to resign from his post after an investigation into an inappropriate relationship. This allowed him to avoid being fired.

Barnaby is now working for the Mountain View Fire Protection District, but has been placed on unpaid leave.

Barnaby will be formally charged on Friday.

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