September 24, 2003

Contact:

Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

MOM CONVICTED IN CHILD ABUSE CASE

A Denver jury has returned a guilty verdict in the child abuse case against Laura Trujillo (DOB: 6-12-83).  Trujillo was convicted of reckless child abuse resulting in injury, a class 1 misdemeanor, in connection with the death of her 2-year-old daughter last February.

Trujillo was originally charged with child abuse resulting in death, a class 2 felony.  The jury deliberated for just more than a day following the one-week trial before finding Trujillo guilty of the lesser charge.  She is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. in Denver District Court room 17.

Trujillo faces a sentencing range from probation up to 2 years in the Denver County Jail on her conviction.  Her daughter, Aliza Reighard (pronounced “AL-uh-zay”), died on February 2, 2003 suffering injuries to her head, skull fractures, bleeding around the brain, and injuries to her abdomen from a punch or hit. 

Randy Ramirez, Trujillo’s boyfriend, pleaded guilty earlier this year to child abuse resulting in death and agreed to testify truthfully at Trujillo’s trial.  He faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date.

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