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09_04_24headlines Alexis Kenyon
Jury chosen for King Soopers mass shooting trial
The jury has been chosen for the trial of the man who killed 10 people at a King Soopers in Boulder.
A total of 16 jurors, including four alternates, have been seated for the trial of Ahmad Alissa. Alissa faces 10 counts of first-degree murder, along with 54 other charges, after opening fire at the Table Mesa King Soopers on March 22, 2021.
Opening statements begin at 9 a.m. this morning. The trial is scheduled to continue through Sept. 27.
The shooter’s attorneys entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. This means they acknowledged that he killed the victims, but plan to present evidence that he didn’t know the difference between right and wrong when he pulled the trigger multiple times.
If found guilty of any of the murder charges, the shooter would face a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole. If he were to be found not guilty by reason of insanity, he would be committed to a mental institution and treated until he was deemed no longer a danger to himself or others. That’s all according to 9News.
Aurora tenants push back against gang rumors after viral video sparks national panic, blame slumlord for poor conditions
Tenants at an Aurora apartment complex gathered on Tuesday to push back against rumors that the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, had taken over their community.
The rumors began in late August after a viral video showed armed men knocking on an apartment door at the Edge at Lowry complex. The footage spread across right-wing media, with Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman stating several buildings had fallen under gang control. Former President Trump added to the panic, claiming gangs with “big rifles” were taking over in Aurora.
According to The Denver Post, tenants disputed these claims on Tuesday, stating that the real issue was poor property management, not gangs. Residents described neglected conditions, including rodents and bedbugs, and accused the building’s owners of being “the real criminals.”
The Edge at Lowry has a history of mismanagement, with repeated code violations. Tenants expressed frustration that the media’s focus on gangs had overshadowed the urgent issue of poor living conditions and that they feel more threatened by the living conditions in their complex than they do by gangs.
Scandal Hits Colorado Bureau of Investigation as DNA Analyst Accused of Data Manipulation; $7.5M Allocated, Retesting to Cost Millions More
Longtime Colorado Bureau of Investigation DNA analyst Yvonne “Missy” Woods is at the center of a growing scandal after internal investigations revealed she manipulated DNA data in hundreds of criminal cases over nearly 30 years. According to The Denver Post, Woods – once hailed as a top performer – allegedly deleted, altered, and omitted key information in her reports to cover up shortcuts in testing.
The revelations have sent shockwaves through Colorado’s criminal justice system, with fears of wrongful convictions, including a potential murder case tied to her flawed work. Despite early warnings from colleagues, Woods’ misconduct went largely unchecked for years, and her high-output work style was often praised by supervisors.
In 2023, a routine review uncovered widespread data manipulation across more than 800 cases, leading to a state inquiry and $7.5 million set aside to rectify the damage. Retesting of DNA samples is underway, and prosecutors, defense attorneys, and courts are bracing for challenges to convictions based on her work, with costs expected to surpass the initial $7.5 million allocation.
Boulder Reservoir Alga
City officials are warning the public to stay out of Boulder Reservoir and keep pets away due to a toxic algae bloom. Officials recently detected cyanobacteria, a blue-green algae that produces harmful toxins, in the reservoir. This bloom likely occurred due to warm temperatures and nutrient-rich water, which create ideal conditions for algae growth.
The swim beach is closed for the season, but watercraft are still allowed. The city urges avoiding any contact with the water in areas affected by the bloom. Anglers should clean fish thoroughly and dispose of fish waste properly.
Human exposure to high levels of blue-green algae can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. The toxic algae may look like thick pea soup, spilled bluish-green paint, or foam along the shoreline.
Union Reservoir dog beach faces potential closure due to dog waste buildup
The Union Reservoir Dog Beach in Longmont may ALSO be temporarily closed starting Sept. 16, unless users take responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs.
The city reports an overwhelming amount of dog waste accumulating at the beach, posing environmental concerns, especially near the human swim area. Longmont Parks and Natural Resources Director David Bell has urged dog owners to help keep the beach open by picking up after their pets and disposing of waste properly. If the situation doesn’t improve, the city may need to hire a contractor to handle the cleanup.
Last year, a similar situation led to a dog ban at Button Rock Preserve to protect the watershed and wildlife. City officials hope to avoid closing Union Reservoir Dog Beach, urging the public to take action before more drastic measures are needed.
More chances to get e-bike vouchers
The Colorado Energy Office will soon open its final round of e-bike rebate applications starting September 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM.
This program offers low- to moderate-income residents the opportunity to receive up to $1,100 toward an e-bike purchase, with additional funds available for accessories and adaptive or cargo e-bikes.
Boulder residents can also apply for the city’s second round of ebike vouchers until September 13. Boulder’s ebike voucher discounts range from $300 to $1,400, depending on the type of e-bike and their income level.
Thanks to government funding programs across Colorado, nearly 7,000 e-bikes have already been distributed statewide through initiatives like the Colorado Energy Office’s rebate program and local city programs since August of last year.
