On the docket this week: Roommates accused of assault, King Soopers homicide suspect back in court
Last week in court, a 4th Judicial District judge ruled to sentence a man acquitted of second-degree murder to five years in prison, and another removed themselves from the Pikes Peak Avenue homicide case.
Looking ahead to the upcoming week, hearings are scheduled for Lacey Tillitt, Marquise Hutt, Jerome Scott, Gerald Brooks and Dustin Boston among others.
Here is a rundown.
Monday
The woman accused of sparking the Highland Lakes fire that burned nearly 170 acres northwest of Divide last year and prompted the evacuation of almost 700 homes is back in court to enter a plea.
Lacey Tillitt, 77, was initially expected to enter a plea in October, but her defense counsel requested a new hearing date to allow more time for evidence examination.
Tillitt, also referred to as Lowa Tillitt in public records, faces one count of felony arson due to endangering more than $1 million in property for allegedly starting the fire on Oct. 28, 2024.
Tuesday
The man charged with the February 2024 homicide that left 55-year-old Omar Olmedo dead is also back in court for a plea hearing.
Marquise Hutt, 39, was arrested in early December 2024 after several months of investigation.
In the early hours of Feb. 29, 2024, police were called to The Lamplighter Mobile Homes near South Academy Boulevard. When they arrived they said they found Olmedo lying on his back with a small pool of blood near him. The man also had blood on his face and arm.
Olmedo appeared unconscious, and was transported to a local hospital shortly after police arrived. He died March 5 after days on life support.
Hutt faces a first-degree murder charge.
Wednesday
The two roommates accused of holding two runaways hostage and giving them drugs and alcohol before sexually assaulting them are back in court to address motions.
Investigators arrested roommates Jerome Scott, 62, and Gerald Brooks, 68, in early July after detectives found the teenage girls inside an apartment on the south edge of downtown Colorado Springs.
Scott faces 14 charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault, distribution of a controlled substance, contributing to delinquency and harboring a minor. Brooks faces similar charges.
A joint trial is scheduled to begin March 2. Prosecutors said at a previous hearing that they intend to try the case together despite separate charges.
Thursday
Dustin Boston, the Colorado Springs man accused of fatally shooting 32-year-old Tyray Ikener outside the King Soopers gas station near the corner of Stetson Hills and North Powers boulevards, is back in court for a second preliminary hearing.
According to past Gazette coverage, an El Paso County judge ruled to dismiss a “special offender” charge while binding over the remaining five charges during Boston’s first preliminary hearing in April. Those charges include one count each of first-degree murder, first-degree murder with “extreme indifference,” second-degree murder, felony menacing and possession of a controlled substance.
The two additional counts granted on Oct. 13 are possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a previous offender, court records show.
Boston, 35, entered not-guilty pleas for the original five counts in October. Following the new preliminary hearing, he will enter pleas for the remaining two counts if probable cause is found for those charges to proceed.
Stay with The Gazette this week for updates on these hearings and others.