April 18, 2005
Contact: Lynn
Kimbrough, 720-913-9025
SUPREME COURT RULINGS AFFECT
TWO CASES
The Colorado Supreme
Court has issued rulings today in two cases out of the 2nd
Judicial District, the Hagos first-degree murder case and the
Auman felony murder case.
The Supreme Court
has upheld a Denver District Court ruling that prosecutors may
not seek the death penalty against Abraham Hagos. Denver
District Attorney Mitch acknowledged the decision today and said
that he and his appellate division staff will be reviewing the
ruling.
In a separate
decision, the Supreme Court has denied a motion for a re-hearing
of its decision in the Lisl Auman felony murder case. The Court
will send its judgment back to the Colorado Court of Appeals
later this week, and in turn the Court of Appeals will issue a
final mandate to Denver District Court ordering a new trial.
DA Morrissey noted
that today’s ruling in the Auman case puts prosecutors back in a
pre-trial setting and a position that restricts commenting on
the case. “We have an ethical obligation in every case that is
being prepared for trial to avoid making prejudicial comments.
As this case heads back to the trial court we will be very
limited in what we can say.”
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