MURDER CHARGES FILED IN MAN'S DEATH

December 31, 2001

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr. filed formal charges today in connection with last weekend's murder of a 44-year-old man.

Johan Swanson (DOB: 12-13-68) and Catherine Chavez (DOB: 1-24-68) are charged with second degree murder (F2) and conspiracy to commit murder (F3).

The victim was found in an alley behind 1234 West Byers Place on Sunday, December 23, 2001. Investigation revealed the victim had argued earlier in the weekend with Swanson and Chavez. Chavez lives near the location where the body was found.

Both defendants are being held in the Denver County Jail. Their next court appearance is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 3, 2002 at 8:30 a.m. in Denver County Court, room 12T, to be formally advised of the charges.

The presumptive range for sentencing on a class two felony is 8 to 24 years in prison; the range for a class three felony is 4 to 12 years.

*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