Tag: domestic violence
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In search of solutions, El Paso and Teller counties get new Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Incidents of domestic violence spiked across Colorado during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the numbers haven’t subsided. They’ve increased. Data from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office from 2022, the most recent year available, shows the state hit a record high of domestic violence-related cases, which resulted in 94 fatalities, the most ever. Of the deaths, 39…
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Federal judge dismisses malicious prosecution suit against Colorado Springs officers
A federal judge has dismissed a woman’s lawsuit against two Colorado Springs police officers who arrested her instead of looking into her report that she was the victim of domestic violence. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney found it problematic if the officers did not follow up on Rebecca Varney’s claim of being assaulted…
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New details revealed in case of 79-year-old Colorado Springs man accused of killing wife, dumping body
The arrest affidavit for the man who allegedly killed his wife and dumped her body before turning himself in to a police station sheds light on a possible motive for the crime. According to the document, Stephen Sze Hang Chan, 79, called police the morning of Sept. 1, and later arrived at the Colorado Springs…
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Colorado Springs police arrest man for sexual assault allegedly committed in 2001: Arrest affidavit
Colorado Springs police have arrested a man in a sexual assault that happened more than 20 years ago. Kenneth Hettle, 41, is being charged with sexual assault with a weapon, according to his arrest affidavit obtained by The Gazette. The crime occurred about 3:45 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2001, when officers responded to a call…
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Aurora council moves forward with plans to stop prosecuting domestic violence, challenge state law
Aurora lawmakers on Monday night moved forward with items that deal with the city’s handling of domestic violence cases and potentially explore a lawsuit against the state over a new law on indigent defense. The first of the two is a resolution that directs “the City Manager, City Attorney, Court Administrator, and Presiding Judge to…
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Aurora lawmakers to discuss plan for ridding municipal court of domestic violence cases
Aurora’s lawmakers will continue conversations about removing domestic violence cases from municipal court and vote to move forward with a resolution telling the city attorney to challenge a recently-passed Colorado law that would ban flat fee contracts for indigent defense. In Monday night’s study session, Councilmember Dustin Zvonek will bring forward a resolution draft for…
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Final arrest made in brutal Colorado Springs attempted murder
The Colorado Springs Police Department has made a fourth arrest in the brutal assault and attempted murder of a Colorado Springs man. On Jan. 22 of this year a 22-year-old man was found unconscious in the middle of the ice under the “PopCycle” bridge at the intersection of West Van Buren Street and Beacon Street.…
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Colorado Springs woman arrested after allegedly firing gun at man during quarrel
A couple’s quarrel at a truck stop nearly resulted in a murder. That’s according to the arrest affidavit document for Laura Melissa Coston, 40, of Colorado Springs. Coston was arrested on May 7 on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder, menacing, possession of a controlled substance and prohibited use of a firearm. Officers with the Fountain…
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Aurora committee OKs ordinance sending domestic violence cases to county courts
The public safety committee of the Aurora City Council voted on Thursday morning to move forward with a proposal to remove domestic violence cases from municipal court and instead pass them to state, county or federal court. The proposed ordinance, presented on Thursday by councilmembers Dustin Zvonek and Danielle Jurinsky to the Public Safety, Courts…
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Arrest records detail a history of domestic disputes preceding deadly Sinton Road shooting
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…