Matt Murray

Abbe Dorn, bodybuilding cop once on American Gladiators, resigns amid steroid probe

Update: Last month, we reported that Abbe Dorn, a Denver police officer whose moonlighting gigs included modeling, bodybuilding and an appearance on the reality show American Gladiators, was at the center of an internal investigation into alleged steroid use. In addition, Dorn was named in a lawsuit ... More >>

Photos: Abbe Dorn, Denver cop who was on American Gladiators, target of steroids inquiry

Back in 2010, we told you about a brutality lawsuit against Abbegayle "Abbe" Dorn, a Denver police officer who'd previously appeared as a contestant on the TV program American Gladiators. That case was eventually settled. But now, Dorn has another concern: She's reportedly under investigation by th ... More >>

Felix Trujillo, inmate, says deputy who helped him escape thought (wrongly) he'd get $500K

Update: The tale of Felix Trujillo's escape from Denver jail last month, and deputy Matthew Andrews's alleged role in helping him do so, was already plenty weird. But it just got a whole lot stranger. Trujillo now says the escape plan came from Andrews, based on the mistaken notion that the inmate ... More >>

Video: Boston Marathon explosions -- Denver Police Department responds

The explosions at the Boston Marathon, which killed two people and injured dozens of others earlier today, represent a still-developing story about which we'll learn much, much more in the coming days. Meanwhile, residents of metropolitan areas across the country are wondering if they have reason f ... More >>

Felix Trujillo, escapee, surrenders amid claims family of deputy who helped him was threatened

Update: Felix Trujillo, the first-ever escapee from Denver's new jail, slipped away in a deputy's jacket and alleged help from law-enforcer Matthew Andrews; see our previous coverage below. Now, following the arrest of another accused accomplice, 47-year-old Marilyn Reeves, Trujillo has surrendered ... More >>

Capitol Hill rape case wasn't highlighted because victim was a man, cops say

Earlier this month, we told you about a reported sexual assault of a man in Capitol Hill by two still-unknown male assailants. Afterward, a reader argued that the case had gotten so much attention because the victim was male, whereas incidents of women being raped in Capitol Hill happen frequently ... More >>

Jairon Katz and Scott Kida: Update on cops' inappropriate-conduct investigations

Update: Yesterday, we told you about separate investigations of alleged inappropriate conduct aimed at two Denver police officers, Jairon Katz and Scott Kida, with the former accused of having sex in his patrol car and the latter suspected of an improper relationship with a domestic-violence victim; ... More >>

Benita Packard, Denver cop, recommended for firing over Laura Bradford incident?

In January, the Denver Police Department held an extraordinary press conference apologizing for actions of a sergeant after a traffic stop involving Representative Laura Bradford. Now, CBS4 is reporting that Chief Robert White has recommended that Benita Packard, the sarge at the center of the incid ... More >>

Occupy Denver: Police and Public Works amp up park visits after reported scabies case

Last week, one Occupy Denver protester self-identified as having scabies. The skin infection, created by mites inside the skin, is spread through close contact, leaving city officials concerned about health in Civic Center Park and protesters worried about repeated visits from police and Public Work ... More >>

Denver Police realignment: Positive step or deck-chairs reshuffling?

In speaking with us about law-enforcement response to this weekend's Fuck the Police march, Denver Police Department spokesman Lieutenant Matt Murray quoted Chief Robert White, the DPD's new boss, as saying, "We have a good department he wants to make great. He has not found a culture of excessive f ... More >>

9News-Denver Police relationship not overly cozy, producer says

In our post about a 9News red-light-camera story that featured inaccurate information supplied by the Denver Police Department, which had touted the report in a Twitter survey, we cited one source's suggestion that the relationship between the DPD and the station was too cozy. That observer pointed ... More >>

Denver Police on inaccurate red-light-camera report, relationships with the media

Update: Last week, 9News aired a report noting that revenue figures from red-light cameras provided by Denver Police for a story last year were wrong -- very wrong. Turns out the DPD had touted the original report in a Twitter survey as much more fair than a photo-radar story on Fox31. And despite t ... More >>

F*ck the Police march: No evidence of urine-filled balloons, DPD says

Update: In the wake of Saturday's Fuck the Police march (see photos below), assorted media outlets, including the Denver Post, shared reports that urine-filled balloons had been hurled at the event, which resulted in five arrests. But Denver Police spokesman Lieutenant Matt Murray, who was on the sc ... More >>

Laura Bradford: Denver Police apology for special treatment step toward openness

Update below: Yesterday's Denver Police news conference was among the odder in recent memory -- but also among the more welcome. The DPD's concession that Representative Laura Bradford had received special privileges rather than being busted for a DUI, and its willingness to offer details about how ... More >>

Occupy Denver: Meeting with Police Chief ends (again) with warning to remove encumbrances

Chief Robert White.​To sum it up briefly, Occupy Denver's meeting with Police Chief Robert White this afternoon lasted less than an hour and ended without any decisions or a consensus, but the main issue remained unresolved: whether there would be a police raid on the camp to remove its built- ... More >>

Occupy Denver: Will city's new order mean more arrests today?

​After thirteen arrests on Monday following weeks in which no one was jailed, Occupy Denver spent last night strengthening its small fort city at Civic Center Park and preparing for a second wave of busts. Yesterday, Public Works officials served the group with a second official notice to remo ... More >>

Occupy Denver greeted by Police Chief Robert White while awaiting eviction

Robert White.Update, 4 p.m.: Public Works announced it is "re-evaluating" its plan to evict Occupy Denver. For the moment, Denver Public Works is backing away from its plan to remove structures from Occupy Denver's encampment at Civic Center Park. After receiving a warning notice to remove the fort ... More >>

Occupy Denver: Police text messages rip protesters as "pathetic"

Lt. Matt Murray.​At around the same time an Occupy Denver request for a temporary restraining order against the City and County of Denver was denied, the Denver Police Department released a slew of car-to-car text messages pertaining to the movement. Even Denver Police spokesman Lieutenant Ma ... More >>

Here are your 2011 Denver #WebAwards news winners

​Here are the winners of the 2011 Denver #WebAwards in the category we're loosely dubbing "news," which means Westword scribes report on the happenings in these beats, right here on Latest Word. These are the winners only; for a complete list of finalists go here: "Here are your 2011 Denver #W ... More >>

2011 Denver #WebAwards winners announced!

Photos: 2011 Denver #WebAwards party

Reader: Denver PD stats about low percentage of cops who get complaints are meaningless

​In our post about Denver Police videos meant to improve the department's image, spokesman Lt. Matt Murray pointed out that 94.4 percent of officers received no complaints in 2010. One reader wasn't impressed by this number.

Denver PD "We Make a Difference: Everyday" clip argues traffic tickets save lives (VIDEOS)

Videos below.​Mere days after a Complete Colorado report suggesting that red-light cameras are designed to punish people turning right on red, the Denver Police Department has released "The Reason I Stopped You," a new video arguing that traffic tickets save lives; see it below. It's all part ... More >>

Occupy Denver elects a new leader: Shelby, a Border Collie mix

Shelby.​At three and a half years old, Shelby is too young to vote but not to be voted for. Last night, she almost ruined her greatest accomplishment to date when, during announcements at Occupy Denver's 7 p.m. general assembly, she ran into the center of the circle for attention. It would be ... More >>

Occupy Denver: ACLU investigates constitutionality and safety of police action

Phillip Becerra.​Colorado ACLU communications director Rosemary Harris Lytle confirms her organization has launched an investigation of "an escalation of police force" at Occupy Denver -- like, for example, the shooting of Phillip Becarra, seen here, with pepper bullets. The ACLU has expressed ... More >>

Occupy Denver: 21 police cars respond after Halloween try to occupy City Council meeting

​On Halloween night, an evening notorious for tricks, treats and the increased police presence that mix requires, Occupy Denver was met by 21 police cars over an hour an a half. After a failed attempt by protesters to meet with city council, ten police cars monitored six occupiers outside the ... More >>

Occupy Denver: Did unnamed 2nd assaulter knock over cop on motorcycle? (VIDEO)

​Since Saturday's Occupy Denver protest ended with more arrests, much attention has focused on two investigations for felony assault of a police officer. But neither Denver Police nor the DA's office have named anyone other than Westword interviewee John Sexton as being under felony investigat ... More >>

Reader: Denver Police excessive-force problem not helped by whining on Twitter

Yesterday, we spoke with Denver Police Department Twitter feed overseer Lt. Matt Murray about tweets raising questions about the fairness of media coverage. One reader felt this energy could be better spent in other ways.

Denver Police Twitter survey results on photo radar stories: "Who cares?" finishes strong

Update: Yesterday, we told you about a Denver Police Department Twitter survey asking respondents to compare the fairness of photo-radar reports by Fox31 and 9News. Earlier today, the DPD tweeted the results. The winner? Hard to say. But "Who cares?" did very, very well.

Phish Story: A fight on Shakedown Street left one man in stitches and another fearing for his family

Teaching cops how to de-stress for success

Michael Hancock: Prostitution-ring case taken over by feds as Denver cops get some distance

Michael Hancock.​At this point, Denver Police Department reps aren't saying why they handed over the Denver Players prostitution investigation to the feds. But no need to exhume Nostradamus to figure it out. After all, there are approximately a gazillion reasons why the DPD would want to put ... More >>

Kenia Monge disappearance: Self-described suspect Travis Forbes's dirty panties secret

Kenia Monge.​Update: It's been almost three weeks since Kenia Monge vanished after a night of partying at a downtown club that should have rejected her due to her age, nineteen. Since then, more disturbing information has surfaced about Travis Forbes, a man who gave her a ride in his van and c ... More >>

Marvin Smith victim of homicide at Wise Harris Arms apartments, says Denver coroner (50)

Graphic below.​Update:Information is still scarce in a fatal shooting at the Wise Harris Arms apartments on Saturday. Now, however, we know the name of the victim -- Marvin Smith, 33 -- and the basic circumstances of his death, which became official shortly after he was transported to Denver H ... More >>

Martinez family lawsuit: Members of Mexican band say Denver cops mistakenly beat them

Daniel Martinez III.​Attorney David Lane says he's got about a half-dozen active lawsuits against the Denver Police Department, including an excessive-force complaint against DPD officer and ex-American Gladiator contestant Vicki Fernandez that's scheduled for trial beginning today. His latest ... More >>

Excessive force complaints far fewer than commendations, says Denver Police spokesman

DeHerrera.​Even though Denver's crime rate is going down, excessive force against the Denver Police Department cause continue to stir debate, as in the cases of Alexander Landau and Michael DeHerrera. In an effort to counter the impression of a department out of control, the DPD has issued a ... More >>

Vicki Ferrari second Denver cop/American Gladiator contestant sued for excessive force

Vicki Ferrari.​Last September, we told you about a police brutality lawsuit targeting Denver Police officer Abbe Dorn, a former American Gladiator contender. Now, Vicki Ferrari -- a Dorn pal who's also a Denver cop and onetime American Gladiator contestant -- is on the cusp of a trial in a sui ... More >>

Gerry Whitman: Will Michael DeHerrera police brutality case speed chief to retirement?

From CBS4 coverage.​The police-brutality controversy spurred by the attack on Michael DeHerrera -- which spawned yesterday's press event decrying violence against LGBTQ community members (to see photos, click here) -- has increased pressure on Denver Chief of Police Gerry Whitman. He defends h ... More >>

Get social with the Denver Police

​Want to know why the police are congregating outside the house down the block? Chances are that if you wander down there and ask, they'll just growl at you to head home and not to worry about it. But get online and ask Lieutenant Matthew Murray via Twitter. He says he will be glad to tell you ... More >>

Titans' LenDale White avoids charges after hometown altercation

There are plenty of things you might expect Denver native and Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White to do after a traffic accident. If you're nice, he might offer to sign the hood of your car. If you're confrontational, he may rush at you nine times for -5 yards and three touchdowns. If you' ... More >>

New Life Church shooting victim speaks out prior to Ted Haggard media tour

Amid all the revelations connected with Ted Haggard's attempted resurrection on HBO and Oprah, the accusations of payoffs involving yet another young man lusted after by the former pastor ("Watch the KRDO report featuring Ted Haggard's latest accuser"), and assorted other sordidness, a greater ... More >>

The long silence of Matthew Murray's parents

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see any comments from Ronald or Loretta Murray in the one-year anniversary stories about the church shootings in Arvada and Colorado Springs. But then, the Murrays haven't been eager to talk publicly about the multiple tragedies spawned by their deeply disturbed son ... More >>

The Westword.com blog shortcut, December 8 edition

What just happened? This stuff. Today in Backbeat Online: • A live review of the Smashing Pumpkins at the Ogden Theatre. • Eric Eyl's Mile High Makeout deals with dead days. • Ozric Tentacles moves to Fort Collins. Today in Cafe Society: • Steuben's toasts the end of Prohibition -- 75 ye ... More >>

More Pieces of the Matthew Murray Puzzle

Mathew Murray Shooting God’s Plan?

Does This Photograph Glorify Matthew Murray?

Matthew Murray, Ted Haggard and Double Lives

Matthew Murray’s Nightmare of Christianity

Matthew Murray's Threatening Posts Back on the Web

The Gang's All Here

Her grandmother will never forget the day Venus Montoya died. And she will never forgive her killers.