The arrest affidavit of the man facing charges for the death of Jason Bales details a history of violent interactions and domestic disputes leading up to the deadly shooting.

According to arrest records obtained by The Gazette, Michael Darby, 29, was arrested on April 23 for his alleged part in shooting and killing 55-year-old Bales the week prior.

On the evening of April 18, officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department received multiple reports of shots fired in the 4200 block of Sinton Road in Colorado Springs.

Police on the scene observed a green Dodge Magnum crashed into a concrete jersey barrier along the roadway and discovered Bales who had received multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and his arm. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died of his injuries, officials said. 

Detectives with CSPD’s homicide unit arrived and assumed the lead in the investigation. Investigators discovered 10 bullet casings surrounding the scene, and one inside the jacket of Bales. Additionally, multiple “bullet defects,” were observed on the exterior of the vehicle surrounding the driver’s side window and door.

Court records state detectives obtained a witness statement from a man who heard the shooting, observed the alleged suspect fleeing the scene, and contacted the police dispatch center. 

The eyewitness said he was sleeping inside the cab of a semitrailer on the property awaiting an early morning shipment when he was wakened by several gunshots.

The witness told police following the gunshots, he observed a black SUV backing up along Sinton Road, and a man jogging along a dirt path on the east side of the jersey barrier, adjacent to the roadway.

“(The witness) stated that the male party then jumped over the jersey barrier and got into the passenger side of the black SUV that had been backing along Sinton Road,” arrest records state.

According to arrest records, investigators soon discovered the victim’s vehicle to have been registered to Kathleen Murphy of Colorado Springs. Further investigative efforts unveiled Murphy and Bales to both be involved in two open CSPD domestic violence cases in the months leading up the Bales’ death.

Domestic violence reports

On Feb. 3, police received reports of a domestic disturbance at a hotel room at 3402 Sinton Road. Murphy told police and fire personnel on the scene she believed the man she was staying with, identified as Bales, had been intentionally administering her too much medication in an attempt to kill her, records state.

Murphy told authorities she and Bales had started dating in September 2023, and had gotten married in December. She told police she did not want to marry Bales but he had convinced her, due to his status as a registered sex offender in need of a permanent address.

Murphy told authorities she had researched getting their marriage annulled, however, Bales said, “he would never sign the paperwork for that,” records state.

Murphy was sent to the hospital following the incident, and Bales denied all accusations. A friend staying with the couple at the hotel told police Murphy had relayed to her that she was afraid of Bales.

On April 13, officers were dispatched to a second domestic disturbance involving Bales and Murphy along 3410 N. El Paso St. in Colorado Springs. Murphy told 911 dispatchers that her “ex,” later identified as Bales was on the scene and was refusing to leave.

Murphy later told officers on the scene that Bales had come to her property looking for his missing truck, and she had given Bales the keys to her green Dodge Magnum so he would, “leave her alone,” approximately five minutes before police arrived on the scene. She also disclosed to police that Bales had previously been violent with her, recounting a strangulation incident that occurred at the Sinton Road hotel the couple was staying at two weeks prior.

Darby’s connection

In conducting surveillance at the motel Murphy was residing at in the days following the April 18 shooting, detectives confirmed a man later identified as Michael Darby had been staying with her during that time period.

Police also confirmed Murphy was the registered owner of a GMC Acadia matching the witness description of the suspect vehicle on April 18, arrest records state.

According to officials, on April 23, detectives alongside the department’s Tactical Enforcement Unit obtained and executed a search warrant at Murphy’s residence. Both Murphy and Darby were present at the time.

The two were advised that the search warrant was in connection with the deadly shooting of Bales. While Darby declined to be interviewed, Murphy agreed and was transported to the Police Operations Center to meet with detectives.

Murphy told detectives she, Darby, and her friend Sarah Marsaw were driving in her GMC Acadia to return, “some property,” of Bales on April 18 when she observed the Green Dodge Magnum parked on the west shoulder of Sinton Road.

“Ms. Murphy said she observed a shirt covering the rear window of the vehicle and presumed Mr. Bales was in the company of another person and may be engaged in some sort of sexual activity which she did not wish to see,” arrest records state.

Murphy then told detectives she reversed into the parking lot of the nearby Division of Wildlife building, where Darby and Marsaw began to argue. She told detectives the argument erupted between the two because Darby was upset that she (Murphy) was still involved with Bales despite his past treatment of her, officials said.

Records state Darby then exited the vehicle and proceeded to walk toward the area where Bales’ vehicle was parked.

Murphy told detectives that after Darby had exited the vehicle, she pulled out of the parking lot and began to leave the area heading southbound on Sinton Road when she heard Darby yelling followed by at least one gunshot.

“Ms. Murphy said she began to panic and nearly came to a stop when Marsaw yelled to her to stop and pick up Mr. Darby who was running back toward the vehicle,” records state. 

The affidavit states that when Murphy asked Darby what had happened, he claimed Bales had “grabbed” him and Darby had shot him once in the stomach as an act of self-defense.

Murphy told detectives she was unaware Bales had died as a result of his injuries until an employee at the motel told her days after the shooting.

Murphy repeatedly told detectives she was unaware Darby had a gun that night, and said she had not spoken to Darby since the night of the shooting.

The gun used in the incident has not been found by investigators, according to arrest records.

When asked about any history between the three, Murphy described a disturbance between Bales and Darby that had occurred days before the shooting at Murphy’s residence along North El Paso Street.

Murphy told detectives Darby and Bales had engaged in a verbal altercation in which Darby called Bales a “b—h.”

Additionally, video surveillance provided by Murphy’s neighbor presented a second altercation between the two in which Darby pointed a gun at Bales and threatened to kill him, records state. 

Following Murphy’s interview with police, CSPD’s fugitive task force arrested Darby on the charges of first-degree murder, a Class 1 felony, without further incident, police said.

Darby is scheduled for a first appearance in court on May 6.