Author: Zachary Dupont zachary.dupont@gazettedev.gazette.com
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Woman accused of hate crime hoax in Colorado Springs argues free speech in motion for dismissal
One of the three people accused of allegedly staging a cross burning in front of a Yemi Mobolade campaign sign defaced with a racial slur during the 2023 mayoral runoff election filed a motion for dismissal last week, according to court records. Derrick Bernard Jr., Ashley Blackcloud and Deanna West all face two charges in federal…
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Woman accused of starting Highland Lakes fire makes first court appearance
The woman accused of starting the Highland Lakes fire that burned 166 acres northwest of Divide and caused more than 700 households to be evacuated last year made her first appearance in Teller County court in Feb. 3. Lowa Tillitt, 77, also referred to as Lacey Tillitt in public records, was arrested on Jan. 16…
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Court denies defense motion for independent review of evidence in UCCS double homicide case
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct ruling of the court Fourth District Court will not allow defense attorneys to independently review the evidence in the case against the man accused of killing two people in a dorm room at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Nicholas Jordan, 25, is accused of shooting and…
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Woman accused of starting Highland Lakes fire makes first court appearance
CRIPPLE CREEK • The woman accused of starting the Highland Lakes fire that burned 166 acres northwest of Divide and caused more than 700 households to be evacuated last year made her first appearance in Teller County court on Monday. Lowa Tillitt, 77, also referred to as Lacey Tillitt in public records, was arrested on…
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Man accused of UCCS double homicide will not plead insanity
The man accused of killing two people in a dorm room at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs last year won’t be pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, the man’s attorneys informed the court on Friday. Nicholas Jordan, 25, is accused of shooting and killing Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, and UCCS student…
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Former Colorado Springs defense attorney accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old waives preliminary hearing
A former El Paso County public defender waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday after being arrested in November for allegedly having sex with a child. Thomas Cushing, 26, was arrested Nov. 22 and faces one charge of sexual assault against a child, according to court records. An affidavit for Cushing’s arrest details that…
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Colorado Springs man gets prison in COVID-19 fraud case
A Colorado Springs man was sentenced to two years in federal prison after being found guilty in federal court last year for fraudulently receiving more than $500,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. According to previous Gazette reporting, Charles Lacona Jr., 67, was convicted of…
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Man sentenced to 16 years prison after pleading guilty in stabbing case
A Colorado Springs man was sentenced to 16 years in prison this week after pleading guilty to assault, according to court records. According to previous Gazette reporting, Police said at 8:21 p.m. on Aug. 28 officers received reports of a stabbing near the 900 block of Zamora Circle near Roy Benavidez Park. Officers on the…
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Man accused of hate crime hoax in Colorado Springs has attempted murder trial delayed indefinitely
The man accused of trying to kill two Colorado Springs police officers will have his trial delayed due to his federal indictment for allegedly faking a hate crime to affect the 2023 Colorado Springs mayoral race. The trial against Derrick Bernard Jr., 35 — where he faces several charges including two counts of attempted first-degree…
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Former El Paso County sheriff’s deputy sentenced to jail for sexual assault
A former El Paso County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Jan. 16 after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges last year. Dalton Bridges was arrested in January 2023 after investigators say he made unwanted sexual advances toward a woman, and that when she tried to leave, he grabbed her and…