June 24, 2003

Contact:

Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

MAN CHARGED IN OPEN-WINDOW BURGLARY

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr. filed formal charges today against a man accused of entering a woman’s home through an open bedroom window and trying to assault her.

Demetrio Chavez (DOB: 12-22-74) is charged with second degree burglary (F3), attempted sexual assault (F4) and harassment (M3).

The 28-year-old victim was in her home on June 22, 2003 when a man crawled through her bedroom window and tried to sexually assault her.  When she resisted, the man fled. 

Chavez will appear in Denver County Court, Room 12T on Thursday, July 8, 2003 at 9 a.m. to be advised of the charges. He has been released from jail on $5,000 bond.

(The case highlights the danger in leaving windows open on warm summer nights.)

CHILD ABUSER PLEADS GUILTY

Randy Ramirez (DOB: 8-25-81) pleaded guilty today to child abuse knowingly or recklessly causing death (F2) in Denver District Court.

Ramirez was indicted by a grand jury in April after the 2-year-old child of his girlfriend Laura Trujillo (DOB: 6-12-83) died mysteriously. Trujillo was also indicted on the same charge and appeared for a motions hearing in court today; her trial is scheduled for later this year.

Ramirez will next appear for a status hearing in Denver District Court, Courtroom 17, on July 28 at 8:30 a.m.

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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