Adams County DA clears Aurora cop in Darius Murray shooting

A May 13 blog quoted Aurora Police Chief Daniel J. Oates denying that officers involved in the May 9 shooting of Darius Murray had done anything improper, despite claims to the contrary by the Murray family. Now, Adams County District Attorney Don Quick officially concurs with Oates. He's released a...

By Michael Roberts

June 26, 2009

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A May 13 blog quoted Aurora Police Chief Daniel J. Oates denying that officers involved in the May 9 shooting of Darius Murray had done anything improper, despite claims to the contrary by the Murray family. Now, Adams County District Attorney Don Quick officially concurs with Oates. He's released a letter that states: "It is clear that Mr. Murray fired at least three rounds in the direction of Officer Collins and seconds later Officer Pearson fired his service weapon in the direction of Mr. Murray. These facts are established through both Officers' reports of the incident and corroborated through independent eyewitnesses at the scene."

Read the letter in its entirety here.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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