June 24, 2005

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025 

 WOMAN WANTED IN 1999 MURDER AND

MAN WANTED IN 2000 MURDER NOW IN CUSTODY IN DENVER

A 34-year-old woman wanted since 1999 for killing her next door neighbor has returned to Denver to face charges.

 Malaika Griffin (DOB: 05-11-71) is charged with first-degree murder (F1), aggravated robbery (F3) and first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft (F4).

The charges allege that Griffin shot and killed her next door neighbor, 25-year-old Jason Horsley, in front of her home at 2325 Humboldt Street in Denver after the two had argued on May 18, 1999.  The charges further allege she stole a car at gunpoint as she fled.

Griffin was arrested recently in San Diego, California and waived extradition.  She was formally advised of the charges today in Denver County Court and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on August 31, 2005.  She is being held without bond in the Denver County Jail.

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In a separate and unrelated case, a 23-year-old man wanted in connection with the September 2000 murder of a man in Denver appeared in Denver County Court for advisement today after recently being taken into custody.

Jose Casillas (DOB: 10-10-81) is charged with first-degree murder (F1) in the death of 22-year-old Jorge Garcia-Villapando.

The charge alleges that Casillas shot and killed Garcia-Villapando about 1 a.m. on September 9, 2000 during a fight outside a neighborhood bar at 39^th Avenue and High Street in Denver.  The victim was found lying on the sidewalk with a broken pool cue and broken beer bottles nearby.  

Casillas was taken into custody last weekend on the at-large warrant and was formally advised of the charge today.  He is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on July 19, 2005 for a preliminary hearing.  He is being held without bond in the Denver County Jail.

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