Michael Asberry, RIP

Back in February 2007, after the murder of Darrent Williams had Denver on edge about gangs, Michael Asberry told Luke Turf how tough it was to get out of the gang life for this story. And Asberry knew all about gang life: He'd started the Crips here back when he...

By Patricia Calhoun

May 20, 2008

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $17,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$1,500

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Back in February 2007, after the murder of Darrent Williams had Denver on edge about gangs, Michael Asberry told Luke Turf how tough it was to get out of the gang life for this story. And Asberry knew all about gang life: He'd started the Crips here back when he was sixteen, in 1986. And by his twentieth birthday, Asberry was doing time in prison.

In the years since, Asberry was in and out of jail, at one point getting a big break to work with Jim Brown's anti-gang program in California. But by early 2007, he was back in jail in Denver. Still, Asberry was due to get out soon, and talked of going straight. "There's no lost causes," he told us.

But there are lives forever lost. Asberry did get out of jail, and was reportedly trying to stay straight. But early last Saturday morning, he was shot to death in front of an Aurora apartment building. The investigation is ongoing. -- Patricia Calhoun

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

A message from Patricia Calhoun: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today