Lynn Kimbrough

John Vigil pleads guilty to fatal child abuse case after years in mental hospital

In November 2008, Elijah Archuleta, age two, died due in large part to burns covering 75 percent of his body -- and his mother, Isela Reyes-Talamantes, received a twenty-year sentence for her role in his death circa March 2010. Why, then, did it take until the past few days for John Vigil, Reyes-Ta ... More >>

William Costello, accused serial rapist, linked to two more crimes but bond lowered

Late last month, we told you about William Costello, charged with being a serial rapist after his DNA scored strikes on three previous sex assaults; see our original coverage below. Since then, he's been linked to two more crimes, yet his bond was actually lowered -- and he's since been released, pr ... More >>

Video: Marijuana-smoking celebration at Space Needle type of event Denver DA hopes to avoid

At midnight, Initiative 502, Washington state's equivalent of Amendment 64, went into effect -- and a huge throng gathered at the Space Needle to celebrate the occasion with public toking; see the video below. It's precisely the sort of event the Denver District Attorney is trying to prevent by warn ... More >>

Marijuana: Is Denver adding charges to keep minor pot cases alive after Amendment 64?

After the passage of Amendment 64, we reported that Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey had called for a review of all pending pot cases that would be legal under the measure, with a bias toward dropping those unaccompanied by additional charges. Now, however, an attorney says a client accused ... More >>

Iesha Paris and Darryl Hunter busted for child abuse after son shot in face

A couple of weeks ago, we shared the terrible story of Ethan Hearty, a toddler who accidentally killed himself at his grandparents' Utah home after finding a gun. Still no report of charges in that case, but accusations have been aimed at Iesha Paris and Darryl Hunter in a similar incident that took ... More >>

Dr. Stephen Stein, alleged needle re-user, under investigation for prescription fraud

Update: The story of Dr. Stephen Stein, an oral surgeon whose possible re-use of needles over a twelve-year period has led the state health department to suggest that at least 8,000 of his patients be tested for HIV and hepatitis, has gone national. And while Stein has yet to be charged with a crime ... More >>

Rollin Oliver, charged with murdering Celena Hollis, in court this morning

Gang violence is a hot topic in Denver this summer. This week's cover story, "Flash Point," details the city's plan for cooling it down. Denver has seen several high-profile shootings in the past few months, and there's been speculation that many are gang-related, including the death of Denver poli ... More >>

Angel Montoya conviction in death of child ends four-plus year ordeal

The conviction yesterday of Angel Montoya in the death of three-year-old Neveah Gallegos ends a long journey not only for the child's loved ones, but also for police, prosecutors and the public. After all, Neveah died in 2007 and Montoya and Miriam Gallegos were arrested shortly thereafter. But jus ... More >>

Merhawi Ocbamichael charged as adult for aggravated robberies as direct file bill advances

This week, the Denver District Attorney's Office announced that it had charged Merhawi Ocbamichael as an adult for a series of aggravated robberies that took place when he was seventeen. It's the sort of decision that won't be made in quite the same way should legislation to reform the system known ... More >>

Kenny and Kathleen Sanchez neglect case: Three-year-old weighed just nineteen pounds

Big photos below.​A shopping trip Kenny and Kathleen Sanchez took with their daughter led to their arrest for child abuse. No, they didn't strike her in public or anything like that. Rather, it was the girl's appearance that raised concern. The three-year-old weighed just nineteen pounds.

Knowshon Moreno busted for DUI in car with license plate reading "SAUCED"

While Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee was getting (almost) naked for a Go Daddy commercial spoof, Knowshon Moreno, the baller he pretty much displaced, saw his year go from bad to worse. Moreno is facing four counts, including driving under the influence, after being pulled over for spee ... More >>

Darren Garcia: How has HIV-positive prostitute allegedly been able to offend again and again?

Most of the attention for Wednesday's fourteen arrests in a Colfax prostitution sweep has focused on Darren Garcia, who presents herself as a woman and is HIV-positive. Garcia's eight previous busts include two for the crime of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS, and she was convicted of a felo ... More >>

OMG! Operation Mountain Guardian, terrorist attack response drill, to take place tomorrow

​ Fake terrorists will attack the Denver metro area tomorrow in what will be the largest emergency response exercise these parts have ever seen. Called Operation Mountain Guardian -- or OMG, for short -- it will include imaginary disasters at four locations: Park Meadows Mall, Smedley Elementa ... More >>

Medical marijuana grow isn't child abuse any more than having a liquor cabinet, attorney says

Joseph Lightfoot.​Update: Joseph Lightfoot was originally charged with felony child abuse for a legal medical marijuana grow simply because he had three kids living in the home where he was cultivating. The count was later bumped down to a couple of misdemeanors, to which Lightfoot pleaded gui ... More >>

Billy Jene Wilson: Bite on Gina Gruenwald's arm leads to his arrest in 2004 murder

Big pics below.​Gina Gruenwald was a former Oklahoma State softball player with a bright future ahead of her when she was brutally stabbed to death in August 2004. Nearly seven years later, Billy Jene Wilson, a 42-year-old homeless man, has been arrested for her murder -- and all because he al ... More >>

Kervin Rogers, lethal drug boss?: 2 hours for jury to return guilty verdicts in 3 murders

Big pic below.​Update: It didn't take long for a jury to decide the fate of Kervin Rogers in not one, not two, but three separate murders over a one-month period in late 2009. Two hours after deliberation began, they returned with a trio of guilty verdicts.

Peter Bellar to be tried again after hung jury for Douglass Singleton murder: Marijuana related?

Big pics below.​Like the allegedly marijuana-related fatal crash involving Joshua Wittig, the January 2010 murder of Douglass Singleton, reportedly during a robbery involving medical marijuana, made a big splash initially, then fell off the media's radar. Turns out a lot's happened in the case ... More >>

Jacquelyn Perea: Contribuing to delinquency of minor charge in Alicia Martinez murder case

Big pic below.​We don't usually hear about folks accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor -- and at first blush, the charge against Jacquelyn Perea, who allegedly took a sixteen-year old to a party where alcohol and drugs were being used, and gave her marijuana, doesn't seem espec ... More >>

Alicia Martinez murder: Francesca Pagliasotti charged with covering up teen's slaying (28)

Big pic below.​Update: There's been another arrest in the horrific slaying of Alicia Martinez, whose corpse was dismembered and abused after she was shot to death in October. Francesca Pagliasotti has been charged with helping accused killer Edward Thomas Romero cover up this gruesome crime. B ... More >>

Marvin Booker: Denver DA will file no charges in case of man who died in custody at Denver Jail

Marvin Booker.​Last month, a video of Michael DeHerrera being attacked without apparent provocation by a Denver cop received plenty of attention, especially after Mayor John Hickenlooper asked the FBI to review the case after his manager of safety declined to sack the officers involved. Firing ... More >>

Benjamin Janicki accused of licking, tickling vaginas of girls at Park Hill day care center

From 7News coverage.​The arrest affidavit that's led to the arrest of Benjamin Janicki, nineteen, is a horror show for any parent -- or any human being with a functioning moral compass. At this point, the Denver District Attorney's Office has charged Janicki with sexual assaults on three chil ... More >>

Filberto Alderete (No. 14): No charges in Jesus Sifuentes Jr. shooting due to Make My Day law

Filberto Alderete.​Lots of twists and turns in the gunplay on West 18th Avenue over the weekend. Daniel Alderete was shot by police, allegedly because he wouldn't drop a weapon, while Filberto Alderete was arrested for investigation into the death of a man later identified as Jesus Sifuentes J ... More >>

Katsina Roybal (No. 13): Victim in East 36th Avenue shooting convicted in Holly Square fire

Katsina Roybal.​Earlier today, we told you about a murder on East 36th Avenue. The Denver coroner has now identified the woman who died in the shooting as Katsina Roybal, 21. This isn't the first time Roybal's name has been in the news. She was indicted and convicted in relation to the fire t ... More >>

Marijuana cultivation leads to child abuse charges: New way to target home grows?

Joseph Lightfoot.​The arrests of Joseph Lightfoot and Amber Wildenstein, both 29, on one count apiece of child abuse raised eyebrows in the medical marijuana community. After all, the charges against Lightfoot and Wildenstein are based solely on them growing marijuana in their home -- somethin ... More >>

Marcus Duran shooting: Will justifiable homicide ruling end alleged threats?

Marcus Duran.​Last month, we told you about the shooting of Marcus Duran, seventeen, by a homeowner during a burglary attempt. Although a decision about potential charges against the homeowner lingered for weeks, the Denver DA's office now calls the incident a justifiable homicide. But what ab ... More >>

Marcus Duran shooting: Still no decision on charges in possible "Make My Day" case

Marcus Duran in Channel 31 coverage.​On May 25, we told you about the shooting of Marcus Duran, seventeen, allegedly by a homeowner while Duran and two others tried to break into his 3150 Gaylord Street residence. Justifiable homicide by way of Colorado's "Make My Day" law? The Denver DA stil ... More >>

Marcus Duran shooting: Classic "Make My Day" case or unjustifiable homicide?

A photo of Marcus Duran from Channel 31 coverage.​Update, 11:18 a.m. May 26: According to Denver District Attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough, a determination about whether or not to charge the homeowner who shot and killed seventeen-year-old Marcus Duran, who was allegedly trying to break int ... More >>

Sandra Johnson accused of making New Year's Eve a little too happy for juvenile sex offenders -- by letting them drink in group home

The party's over for Sandra Johnson.​Plenty of adults will let teens below the legal drinking age sneak a sip on New Year's Eve, just as Sandra Johnson allegedly did. Problem is, Johnson was on the job -- as an overnight supervisor at Lampkin Group Center For Boys II, a privately run home for ... More >>

Stephanie Villafuerte's latest strategy: simulated openness

Stephanie Villafuerte has a new strategy in her quest to become a U.S. Attorney.​The nomination as U.S.Attorney of Stephanie Villafuerte hasn't gone nearly as smoothly as the Obama administration would like, due largely to accusations that she was involved in the political accessing of a feder ... More >>

Salon owner Ty Tomlinson posts bail on assault and sexual contact charges

Ty Tomlinson​Local "Beauty Guru" hairstylist Ty Tomlinson was able to post bond last week after being arrested on several charges in connection with the alleged assault of his former girlfriend while she was employed at his popular Denver salon, Blanc. Court records show the bond amount includ ... More >>

After Lilian Verdonkschot died, Nadine Montoya was charged with a hit-and-run. But was hate behind the wheel?

Why doesn't Colorado get the point of needle exchange programs?

Here comes the new Mitch Morrissey headline -- a lot like the old Mitch Morrissey headline

In an "Extra!" side channel item from today's Rocky Mountain News, Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey (pictured), expresses her displeasure at an online headline affixed to a story announcing that her boss might receive a $32,000 boost in pay. "I don't want to ... More >>

Charges in the Darrent Williams murder: How strong is the case?

Should Denver cop have been charged in scuffle with DNC protester? You be the judge

The Butler School Owner Did It

Mary Starkey pleads guilty to assaulting a student.

Documents Outline DA Mitch Morrissey’s Complaints Against Denver Post Pulitzer Candidate

Dear Scammers: Check Your Fax Number

Climbing Cocaine Mountain

Make Yourself at Home

Love the Sinner

When sexual orientation conflicts with church doctrine, how tolerant should a Catholic University be?

More Messages: Sources Say

Disconnect

A progressive station dumps two progressive shows for being progressive.

The Message

Revision Quest

The Sounds of Silence

Last December, Oscar Hernandez became the town's biggest story. It's over for him now.

A Simple Case

How a drunk-driving fatality got lost in the system.

Seeing Red

For better or worse, KHOW's Scott Redmond has people talking.

Knock, Knock, Who's There?

These candy-selling kids aren't telling -- because they don't know.

Caught in the Middle

Grant Middle School teachers give failing grades to a Channel 7 investigation.