By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Arthur Folsom, representing terror suspect Najibullah Zazi, plans to add lawyers to his team after a judge questioned his federal court experience. Folsom has met with some attorneys and will make an announcement soon.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j7OQSgkLgNXUFZNtM3yBPbiYCwfwD9ASN34O0

Jury Still Deliberating In Thompson Trial
The jury in charge of deciding whether Aaron Thompson is guilty of child abuse resulting in the death of his daughter, Aarone, completed its fifth day of deliberations Tuesday without reaching a verdict.
http://www.aurorasentinel.com/articles/2009/09/22/news/metro_aurora/doc4ab989ca0cf1e002770335.txt

Denver Cop Cleared Of Assault Charges
Denver police officer Michael Cordova Tuesday was found not guilty of third-degree criminal assault. Cordova could have been discharged from the force if he was convicted.
http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_13398263?source=commented-

Charges Dropped In Fraud Ring, Prosecutors Continue Investigation
Charges against six people accused in a credit-card fraud ring were dismissed in U.S. District Court last week, but prosecutors indicate that they intend to continue investigating the case.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13397496

Front Range Briefs
The Longmont Times-Call rounds up the latest cops, crime and courts news.
http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=18245

Former Teacher Faces Sexual Assault Charges
A Larimer County District judge ruled Tuesday that there’s sufficient evidence to try former Estes Park teacher Anthony Ruiz on charges of having sex with a 16-year-old student.
http://www.krdo.com/Global/story.asp?S=11177375

Guilty Plea For Attempted Robbery
Israel Dela Rosa, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery stemming from a July incident where Dela Rosa tried to rob a Glenwood Springs Arby’s restaurant.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20090923/VALLEYNEWS/909229991/1083&ParentProfile=1074

Springs Attorney Urges Judge To Take Time Considering USOC Funding Case
Colorado Springs attorney Lindsay Fischer, who’s challenging the financing of a proposed U.S. Olympic Committee incentive package, Tuesday urged Judge Scott Sells not to make a quick decision on the issue because of its complexity.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/funding-62521-considering-attorney.html

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Denver radio talk show host and criminal lawyer Craig Silverman spoke critically of how terror suspect Najibullah Zazi’s attorney, Art Folsom, is handling his case.
http://www.statebillnews.com/?p=3211

PR Rep Flooded With Calls
Public Relations representative Wendy Aiello’s phone is being flooded with phone calls–some abusive–after taking on Arthur Folsom as a client. Folsom reresents Najibullah Zazi, who is charged with lying to federal investigators.http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/09/21/daily17.html?ana=from_rss

Judge Denies Churchill’s Motion Reverse
Denver Chief District Court Judge Larry Naves denied a motion filed by Ward Churchill to reverse his ruling that Churchill could not be reinstated at the University of Colorado.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13389970

Three OK City Judges Help Out In Colorado
A full docket is bringing three federal judges from Oklahoma City to help with Colorado court cases.
http://newsok.com/states-federal-judges-help-denver-colleagues/article/3402592

Aspen Man Indicted on Sexual Assault Charges
Aspen Man Jacob Frutin has been indicted by a grand jury on sexual assault charges. Public defender Stephen McCrohan is challenging the grand jury indictment.
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090922/NEWS/909219988/1058

Springs Judge Dismisses Trespassing Charge Against Bruce
Colorado Springs Municipal Judge Spencer A. Gresham dismissed a trespassing charge against anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce and another man after finding that the officer incorrectly changed the date on the ticket.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13386936

Greeley Man Charged Months After Traffic Death
Police say Jonathan Mullins’ DNA was behind the wheel of a car involved in a deadly car crash last April. Mullins has been charged in the traffic death of his friend, Shannon Paul Hotel.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090922/NEWS/909219965/1002/NONE&parentprofile=1001

Elderly Assault Suspect To Appear In Court
James Lee will appear in Moffat County Court at 2 p.m. Tuesday on charges of assaulting an elderly couple Aug. 30 at their home in Craig.
http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2009/sep/22/assault_suspect_appear_court_today/

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

A Denver District Court jury deliberated two hours today and found a Denver police officer not guilty of using excessive force in breaking the front teeth of a bicyclist outside Coors Field last year, The Denver Post reports. Deputy DA Doug Jackson represented the people. Defense attorney Marc F. Colin of Bruno Bruno & Colin represented the police officer, Cpl. Michael Cordova, 33.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Najibullah Zazi and his father Mohammed Wali Zazi are expected to make their first appearances in a Colorado federal court. They were arrested over the weekend on charges of lying to federal agents. The Zazis are among several people under investigation in connection with a plot to detonate bombs in the United States. Arthur Folsom represents Najibullah Zazi.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/21/terror.probe/

DA Issue Ordered Off Adams County Ballot
U.S. District Judge Phillip Brimmer last week ordered Adams County to exclude the district attorney from a November ballot where voters will be asked to allow elected officials to run for a third four-year term.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13370299

Court Of Appeals Judge Overturns Judge’s Order
The Colorado Court of Appeals has overturned a judge’s order that a special prosecutor be named to file charges against former University of Colorado football player, Clyde Surrell, who’s accused of sexual assault of Julie Stene.
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=123511&catid=339

Boulder DA Seeks Clarity On Medical Marijuana
Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett writes a column in the Boulder Daily Camera seeking clarity about the medical marijuana law.
http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_13368308

Pueblo Family Prevails In Countersuit
A Pueblo family prevailed over its landlord last week and was awarded damages for a countersuit claiming living conditions at its apartment were unbearable. Tenth Judicial District Magistrate Dorothy Radakovich threw out landlord Thomas Teinda’s claim that he was owed rent by Lisa Chamberlain and her family.
http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/09/20/news/local/doc4ab5bcbaa02d6635436489.txt

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Aaron Thompson’s fate is in the hands of a jury now. The jury began deliberations in the Arapahoe County criminal trial of Thompson, who is charged with child abuse resulting in death of his daughter Aarone.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/20946607/detail.html

Denver Police Officer Michael Cordova, 33, has been charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault and was suspended from the Denver Police Department without pay after a videotape of the arrest of bicyclist John Heaney was obtained by 9News. Cordova is shown slamming a suspect’s face into the pavement.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_13353982?source=rss

Loan Originators Sue Real Estate Division
Loan originators, led by Daniel Gordon of local Acclaim Mortgage Inc., are suing the Colorado Division of Real Estate division director, Erin Toll. The lawsuit alleges that the real estate division’s subpoenas of Acclaim’s bank records are unconstitutional.
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/09/14/daily64.html

16 Years For Child Abuse Resulting In Death
Patrick Romero, a 35-year-old Denver man, was sentenced to 16 years in prison Wednesday in Denver District Court for the death of a 13-month-old girl who was in his care. The girl died of blunt-force injuries.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13353975

Garfield County, Nonprofit Reach Agreement
Garfield County and a local nonprofit have reached an agreement that preserves a county grant to the nonprofit, but won’t hurt the constitutional rights of the organization’s officers, board members and employees.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20090917/VALLEYNEWS/909169995/1083&ParentProfile=1074

Grand County Court Report
The Sky-Hi Daily News rounds up the latest court news.
http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20090917/NEWS/909179998/1067

New Boulder District Judge Appointed
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Wednesday appointed Louisville attorney Thomas Francis Mulvahill to replace Boulder District Judge Morris Sandstead. Mulvahill has been a partner with Chambers, Dansky & Mulvahill.
http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=18129

Robbery Suspect Charged
Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey formally charged Ernie Lee Calbert with nine counts of aggravated robbery in connection with numerous recent armed robberies.
http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=5719

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

18th Judicial Deputy District Attorney Amy Richards Tuesday in closing arguments called Aaron Thompson’s home a “torture chamber” and told the jury to convict him of causing the death of his daughter, Aarone. But one of Thompson’s lawyers, James Karbach, said the prosecution had not proved the felony charge of child abuse resulting in death.
http://www.aurorasentinel.com/articles/2009/09/15/news/doc4ab04bb919c45630201950.txt

City Council Temporarily Halts Dispensaries
The Greeley City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to pass an emergency ordinance that will delay the opening of any medical marijuana dispensary for no more than 90 days. The delay allows the council to draft regulations about where and how the dispensaries can operate.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090916/NEWS/909169984/1002/NONE&parentprofile=1001

Wyoming Man To Appear In Court
Wyoming man Corey Ray Albat, 21, accused of gunning down another Wyoming man in May in Aurora, is scheduled to appear in Arapahoe County Court on Sept. 18 for a preliminary hearing.
http://www.aurorasentinel.com/articles/2009/09/10/news/metro_aurora/doc4aa94b0795f03082543443.txt

City Says No Long Term Debt In Lawsuit Response
City attorneys for Colorado Springs argued Tuesday that the deal to keep the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs will not give the city long term debt and therefore does not require voter approval. The attorneys asked for a dismissal of a lawsuit that challenges the legality of the financing for the USOC incentive package. The lawsuit was filed by Springs lawyer Lindsay Fischer.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/debt-62123-city-long.html

DA Upgrades Charges Against Murder Suspect
The Pueblo District Attorney’s Office upgraded charges against Jayson Oslund in the death of 18-year-old Matt Maez. The charges were upgraded to first-degree murder, and Oslund is on the loose.
http://www.krdo.com/Global/story.asp?S=11136655

In The Courts
The Fort Morgan Times rounds up the latest court news.
http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/ci_13341058

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

A Denver jury Monday decided Leo Cisneros was not guilty of reckless child abuse resulting in the death of his 10-year-old daughter, Auralia. He was still convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13334458

Closing Arguments Underway In Thompson Trial
Prosecutor Bob Chappell, in closing arguments Tuesday, said Thompson and his former girlfriend, Shelley Lowe, consistently beat the children in the home. Chappell told the jury to do justice and convict Thompson of child abuse resulting in the death of his daughter, Aarone.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13341551

Local Band The Fray Sues Manager
The Colorado band The Fray filed a lawsuit against their manager over the copyrights of their songs. The lawsuit alleges their manager, Gregg Latterman, obtained partial ownership of the bands songs when they signed a publishing agreement in July 2005. But the band alleges they only agreed on a finders fee with Latterman.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jNd7OfYAR7HFbM6uiPF6ZHpKtZAwD9ANFE480

Investors Sue Boulder Company
About 80 former investors are part of a lawsuit recently filed in Boulder District Court, which seeks $150 million in damages. One of the companies named for bilking investors is Boulder based Agile Group, LLC. Larry Zavadil, an attorney with Jacobs Chase Kleinkopf & Kelley, represents some of the clients.
http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=123263&catid=509

Ritter Appoints New Larimer County Judge
Robert A. Rand of Windsor was named a new Larimer County Court judge by Gov. Bill Ritter. HE replaces County Judge C. Edward Stirman, who is retiring Nov. 8.
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090915/NEWS01/909150318/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02/Ritter-names-new-Larimer-County-judge

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

 
Source: KDVR

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Defense attorney for Leo Cisneros, Laura Menninger, said police planted drugs on his daughter Auralia and conducted a sloppy investigation. Cisneros is accused of child abuse resulting in the death of Auralia after a shootout with burglars at his home in west Denver. The jury began deliberating Friday after the two week trial.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13320333

State Patrol Seeks To Dismiss Wrongful Arrest Suit
Stephanie Crawford was held in a Pueblo jail for about eight hours after the officer arrested her on a warrant for a person with the same first and last name. She has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for wrongful arrest, and now the Colorado State Patrol is seeking a dismissal of the lawsuit.
http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/09/13/news/local/doc4aac9d08a51de173117709.txt

Appellate Case Could Answer Dispensary Questions
Amendment 20, which legalized marijuana in Colorado in 2000, did not address medical marijuana dispensaries. People v. Clendenin, scheduled for Sept. 22, might go a long way in addressing the legality of dispensaries.
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2009/09/could_people_v_clendenin_deal.php

Thompson’s Defense Presents New Testimony
Aaron Thompson’s defense will present testimony about the newly discovered evidence that was disclosed by prosecutors in the final days of the trial.
http://www.krdo.com/Global/story.asp?S=11125192

DA Sees Turnover, Hires New Prosecutor
The 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has seen its office go from three deputy DAs to just one in the past few months. District Attorney Elizabeth Oldham has hired Amy Richards, a felony attorney from Arapahoe County, to join the office as a senior attorney.
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2009/sep/13/das_office_will_have_new_senior_attorney_oct_1/

Additional Drivers Claim Stops By Coroner’s Vehicle
More drivers have come forward and alleged that former Douglas County Coroner’s Investigator Rick Nanney pulled them over and impersonated a police officer. Nanney resigned last week and faces charges from the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office.
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=123119&catid=339

DA Wants More Money For Criminal Trials
Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger anticipates asking the state for more money to fund criminal trials.
http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/09/13/091409_1a_DA_trial_budget.html

30 Years For Ponzi Scheme Ringleader
Uto Essein last week was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme.
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/09/07/daily72.html

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Jefferson County has spent $600,000 to settle age and sex discrimination cases against the county’s top executive, Jim Moore. The county has also paid $166,918 on outside and in-house counsel to defend the claims against Moore, the county administrator.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13303606

Defense Rests In Thompson Case
Aaron Thompson’s defense team rested its case Wednesday after one day of testimony. Thompson did not testify, and closing arguments are expected Friday.
http://www.aurorasentinel.com/articles/2009/09/10/news/metro_aurora/doc4aa7fad8da60e582026486.txt

Kansas Pharmacist’s Conviction Upheld
Wichita Pharmacist Jerry Lovern, convicted of unlawfully distributing prescription drugs in 2006, had that ruling upheld by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. But the court of appeals threw out the same conviction against computer technician Robert Barron who worked in the pharmacy.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJnQ2axuEv4LlBn8ug_ykZNl3RnQD9AKEGLO0

Child Sexual Assault Suspect Accepts Plea
A scheduled 20-day jury trial was vacated Tuesday after Glenwood Springs man Frank Alameno accepted a plea deal and admitted guilt on charges of possession of a controlled substance and sexual exploitation of a child.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20090910/VALLEYNEWS/909099989/1083&ParentProfile=1074

Group Sues EPA To Speed Process
Wild Earth Guardians, an environmental group, is suing the Environmental Protection Agency urging it to speed up its review of state pollution regulations.
http://www.kjct8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11103051

Judge Overturns Liquor License Ruling
Weld District Judge Daniel Maus overturned a Greeley municipal judge’s decision to deny the sandwich shop Cheba Hut a liquor license. Greeley City Attorney Rick Brady can still appeal the judge’s ruling.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090909/NEWS/909099985/1051&ParentProfile=1001

Stabbing Suspect Sentenced To Three Years
Kelly Standifer, accused of helping stab a Fort Collins man and then tip a refrigerator onto him, was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday. Standifer pleaded guilty in return for assurances that prosecutors wouldn’t convict him as a habitual offender.
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090910/NEWS01/909100326/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02/Man-involved-in-stabbing-case-gets-3-years-in-prison

USOC Chief Skeptical About Meeting Deadline
Stephanie Streeter, chief executive officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, remains skeptical about Colorado Springs’ ability to generate the first piece of financing in a reworked deal that would keep the USOC in the city for the next 30 years.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/hitting-61697-chicago-pessimistic.html

Judge Denies Bruce Ballot Challenge
Fourth Judicial District Judge G. David Miller Wednesday rejected an effort by anti-tax activist Doug Bruce to overturn the wording on a November ballot measure. Bruce argued the city of Colorado Springs violated the city charter by inserting an introductory clause that framed the ballot measure into a yes or no question instead of for and against.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/bruce-61718-judge-request.html

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.