Kayleah Wilson's ex-boyfriend, Robert Montoya, didn't kill her, attorney says

The search for twelve-year old Greeley resident Kayleah Wilson ended in May with tragic news compounded by shock when prosecutors accused eighteen-year-old Robert Montoya with having a sexual relationship with her. Today, Montoya's attorney tried to convince a judge to lower the teen's bail, insisting that his client had nothing...

By Michael Roberts

July 22, 2010

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The search for twelve-year old Greeley resident Kayleah Wilson ended in May with tragic news compounded by shock when prosecutors accused eighteen-year-old Robert Montoya with having a sexual relationship with her.

Today, Montoya's attorney tried to convince a judge to lower the teen's bail, insisting that his client had nothing to do with Kayleah's death.

Of course, Montoya hasn't been charged with murder at this point. However, the size of the bond on him -- $100,000 -- suggests that authorities haven't pushed him out from beneath an umbrella of suspicion.

That explains why public defender Kevin Strobel made a point of telling Judge Marcelo Kopcow that Montoya didn't have anything to do with Kayleah's disappearance, according to 9News.

Unsurprisingly, Kopcow didn't tinker with the bond and established trial dates for November -- which should come as a relief to the Prayer's for Kayleah Wilson's Safe Return Facebook page, a gathering place for her friends and family during the search that continues to be active.

In late June, for instance, numerous commenters marked what would have been Kayleah's thirteenth birthday.

The latest post, from earlier this week, is simple. It reads, "I am praying for Justice."

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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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