Author: Mackenzie Bodell
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Preliminary hearing set for Carlos’ Bistro owner accused of sexual assault
The longtime owner of the award-winning Colorado Springs restaurant Carlos’ Bistro, accused of sexual assault on a waitress trainee, will appear in court next month for his preliminary hearing. Carlos Echeandia, 62, faces two counts of sexual assault and one misdemeanor count of sexual contact after allegations arose that he made unwanted sexual advances toward…
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‘Everything happens for a reason’: Veterans Trauma Court aims to help military members in times of need
Five years after he separated from the Army, Mark Bisset found himself in the Colorado criminal justice system. Bisset’s story started on April 9, 2022. According to past Gazette coverage of the case, the arrest stemmed from an alleged incident in which Bisset rode a four-wheeler to a property in the Indian Creek subdivision in…
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On the docket this week: Mother accused of murder, King Soopers homicide suspect back in court
Last week in court, the suspect in the October Uber homicide appeared in court for her preliminary hearing, and the woman allegedly behind the 2024 Highland Lakes fire was deemed incompetent for the second time. More hearings are in store for this week, including a court appearance for Kimberlee Singler and the man accused of…
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Preliminary hearing for Uber driver homicide suspect reveals new details, spring trial set
The Uber driver killed after being stabbed to death and dumped in a field north of Colorado Springs in October sustained about 60 stab wounds, and was reportedly partially paralyzed when the attack occurred, according to testimony in a preliminary hearing Friday. Khayla Dawson, 27, faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and motor vehicle…
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Highland Lakes arson suspect again deemed incompetent to stand trial
The Teller County woman accused of sparking the Highland Lakes fire in October 2024 was found to be incompetent to stand trial for the second time since her case began, court records reveal. Lowa Tillitt, 78, also referred to as Lacey Tillitt in public records, was arrested Jan. 16 for allegedly starting the fire on…
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Highland Lakes arson suspect again deemed incompetent to stand trial
The Teller County woman accused of sparking the Highland Lakes fire in October 2024 was found to be incompetent to stand trial for the second time since her case began, court records reveal. Lowa Tillitt, 78, also referred to as Lacey Tillitt in public records, was arrested Jan. 16 for allegedly starting the fire on…
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New details in May 2024 shooting death introduced at hearing
A tip from Utah law enforcement prompted the arrest of a suspect in the May 2024 shooting death of Paul Cordova, 49, near Interstate 25 and South Nevada Avenue, according to testimony in the defendant’s preliminary hearing Monday. Brendan Briggs, 26, is accused of shooting Cordova in the abdomen, leading to his death, on May…
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Pueblo man convicted of June 2024 homicide sentenced to life behind bars
The man convicted of first-degree murder stemming from a June 2024 homicide in Pueblo was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday. David Martinez, 63, was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and another count of attempted murder on Oct. 9 following a two-week jury trial in Pueblo…
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2026 courts coverage: A look into what’s happening next year
Several major trials are set to commence next year, including the ones for the Return to Nature funeral home owners, who are being tried separately, and one for a triple-homicide suspect out of Custer County. Here is a rundown of what to look out for in 2026 in the Pikes Peak region criminal justice world.…
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Judge accepts new plea agreements for Return to Nature owners
Jon and Carie Hallford will not see 2026 trials after all, as an El Paso County judge ruled to accept the most recent plea agreements for the pair on Dec. 22, despite heavy opposition from families who used their funeral services. The Hallfords came under a multi-agency investigation in October 2023 after an inquiry into their Penrose…