November 12, 2002

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough,

720-913-9025

CASE UPDATES

Murder trial avoided with guilty plea

Dean Burgoyne (DOB: 2-17-68) pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and vehicular homicide today.  He faces up to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 3, 2003.  Burgoyne was arrested last January in connection with a hit-and-run accident that killed bicyclist Terry Spencer.  Two days later the body of Burgoyne’s mother, Diane Brown, was found in the home she shared with Burgoyne. 

Charges declined against officer

The Denver District Attorney’s Office review of a Denver police officer has concluded with no charges.  Officer Jerome Powell was accused of unnecessary force by defendant Laura Crihfield earlier this year in connection with her arrest for driving under the influence.  The review of the allegation, which was completed several weeks ago, ended without any criminal charges against the officer.

Charges filed in attempted murder

Thomas Dean (DOB: 11-22-69) was charged today with attempted first-degree murder (F2) and two counts of first-degree assault (F3) in connection with a shooting at 18^th and Lawrence on November 4, 2002.  The charges allege that Dean shot and wounded Antonio-Velasquez-Cruz and then pointed a gun at a Denver police officer.  Dean was shot and wounded by the officer before being taken into custody.

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*The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws.  A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  See Colo. RPC 3.6 ____________