June 9, 2005

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025 

DA CHARGES MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING POLICE OFFICER

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey announced the formal charges filed against a man accused of killing Denver police officer Donald Young and wounding Denver police officer John "Jack" Bishop on May 8, 2005.

Raul Gomez-Garcia (DOB: 05-27-85) is charged with second-degree murder (F2) and attempted first-degree murder (F2).

The charges were filed on May 16, 2005 and then sealed by court order.  The charges allege that the two Denver police officers were ambushed and shot from behind while working off-duty providing security at a private party in Denver.  The charges were unsealed today.  Gomez-Garcia faces up to 96 years in prison if convicted on both charges.

Mexican law prevents extradition if the defendant faces a death penalty or life in prison without parole.  Those are the only two sentencing options for first-degree murder.  Charging Gomez-Garcia with second-degree murder, a class two felony, enables the District Attorney's Office to seek extradition.

Gomez-Garcia remains in custody in Mexico.  District Attorney Morrissey continues working with the US Department of Justice and Mexican law enforcement officials to begin the extradition process.

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