The Colorado Springs Gazette

Arrest affidavit indicates gang violence fueled shooting at Colorado Springs skate park

A witness account of the Nov. 26 shooting of a man at Memorial Park skate park, which was reportedly caught partly on video, led Colorado Springs detectives to believe the incident was gang-related, according to an arrest warrant for the main suspect, Joaquin Soto. Soto, 23, was booked into the El Paso County jail on suspicion of attempted...
Colorado Supreme Court suppresses evidence in Springs rape case involving Iraqi informant

The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday affirmed a judge's order tossing evidence against a former Iraq War informant charged in a brutal Colorado Springs rape. The ruling, which delivered a setback for prosecutors, spells an end to the 11-month delay in the case against Jasim Mohammed Hasin Ramadon, who was among five Iraq natives charged in...
Girlfriend wants charges dropped against Zimmerman

ORLANDO, Fla. — George Zimmerman asked a judge on Monday to change the terms of his bond so he can have contact with the girlfriend he's accused of assaulting. Zimmerman filed an affidavit from his girlfriend that says she doesn't want him charged with aggravated assault, battery and criminal mischief. In the signed affidavit, Samantha...
Feds moving mentally ill inmates from Supermax in Florence to Atlanta prison

Federal prison officials have begun transferring mentally ill inmates from the Supermax prison in Florence to a prison in Atlanta following a lawsuit that accuses guards of ignoring severe symptoms. Supermax, dubbed the "Alcatraz of the Rockies," houses some of the U.S. government's most dangerous inmates including drug kingpins, Unabomber...
Canon City man arrested in connection with arson investigation

A month-long investigation by the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, the Fremont County Combined Investigations Response Team and the Canon City Fire Department resulted in a man's arrest in connection with a series of fires in Canon City and Florence. Michael Thornal, 27, of Canon City, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson,...
Search narrows to a van involved in hit-and-run south of Colorado Springs that left one dead

The Colorado State Patrol is asking for the public's help in identifying the driver of a crash on Highway 115 that left one person dead early Sunday morning, and have narrowed down their description of the hit-and-run vehicle. According to a news release from Trooper Eric Zachareas, the wanted car has been identified as a green 1985 to 1993...
Marijuana doctor convicted of illegal recommendation

FORT COLLINS — A Loveland doctor who recommended medical marijuana for an undercover officer faces possible prison time. The Coloradoan reports Monday (http://noconow.co/18iPtau) that 75-year-old Dr. Dallas Devere Williams has been convicted of attempting to influence a public servant. Williams was charged after a 2012 examination of an...
Charges against Aron Ralston dropped by Denver city attorney

Charges against adventurer Aron Ralston, who was jailed Sunday after a domestic dispute, have been dismissed at the request of the Denver city attorney. Denver police arrested both Ralston and his girlfriend, Vita Shannon, at 642 Corona St. late Saturday night. Shannon owns the single-family home, according to property records. Both were to...
Colorado Supreme Court suppresses Iraqi evidence

The Colorado Supreme Court says a judge correctly tossed evidence against an Iraqi man accused of violating a Colorado Springs woman in a sex assault case. Jasim Mohammed Hasin Ramadon, who helped U.S. soldiers hunt insurgents in Iraq, was among five Iraqi men charged after a 2012 attack on an unconscious woman. He was accused of lying about...
Burglary suspect arrested after stand-off in north Colorado Springs

A burglary suspect was arrested early Saturday after police tracked him to a mobile home on Cascade Court and a tactical team talked him out of his hiding place. The incident began about 4 a.m. when officers followed a vehicle they tied to a Hobby Town burglary on 1726 E. Woodmen Rd, Police said they had been watching the suspect and others...
Adventurer Aron Ralston arrested in Denver

DENVER — Aron Ralston, who cut off his forearm to free himself after becoming trapped by a dislodged boulder in a Utah canyon, has been arrested in Denver for domestic violence. The 38-year-old was booked into the Downtown Detention Center on Sunday on charges of assault and wrongs to minors. Police spokeswoman Raquel Lopez tells The...
Burglary suspect arrested after stand-off in north Colorado Springs

A burglary suspect was arrested early Saturday after police tracked him to a mobile home on Cascade Court and a tactical team talked him out of his hiding place. The incident began about 4 a.m. when officers followed a vehicle they tied to a Hobby Town burglary on 1726 E. Woodmen Rd. Police said they had been watching the suspect and...
Woman accused of stealing from youth baseball team

PUEBLO — A 38-year-old Penrose woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a local youth baseball team. The Pueblo Chieftain reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/1aJpcg3 ) that Julianne Smith has been arrested for investigation of felony theft, forgery and unauthorized use of a financial transaction. She's accused of stealing $6,675...
DA: Officer justified in shooting man with knife

DENVER — The Adams County District Attorney's Office says a Northglenn police officer was justified when he shot a man who lunged at him with a knife. The DA's office released a report Thursday clearing Officer Adam Lewis in the Sept. 2 shooting of 38-year-old Alejandro Pinedo. Authorities say Lewis encountered Pinedo while responding to...
Traffic stops in western Colorado turn up 85 pounds of marijuana worth $225,000

GRAND JUNCTION — Deputies who stopped two vehicles traveling together in western Colorado say a search turned up about 85 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $225,000. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/1bOTG6H ) two deputies with the Western Colorado Drug Task Force pulled the vehicles over on Interstate...
Two arrested in connection with shooting at skate park

Colorado Springs police arrested two men Thursday in connection with a Nov. 26 shooting at the Memorial Park skate park. Jeritt Tardiff, 20, and Joaquin Soto, 23, were taken to the El Paso County jail on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, said police spokesman Larry Herbert. Soto's bail was set at $100,000 and Tardiff's is $50,0000....
Intimidation charges sought in connection to double murder

Prosecutors are pursuing witness intimidation charges against a man accused of telling the mother of a Colorado Springs slaying victim: "You're next." The chilling words were allegedly delivered by Angelo Joe Vigil, the cousin of a fugitive being sought in the Aug. 10 slayings of Camille Root and Daniel Castaneda, who were gunned down in an...
Greeley funeral director guilty of forgery, theft

GREELEY— A former Greeley funeral home director has been convicted of forgery and theft for charging families for funeral arrangements while taking state funds for the same services. The Tribune reports that 45-year-old Paul Acuna was found guilty Thursday (http:/goo.gl/6j97xF ). Acuna was convicted of bilking a program offered by the...
Man in wheelchair arrested after biting Colorado Springs bar patrons, lunging at police

Colorado Springs police say an intoxicated man in a wheelchair was arrested Wednesday night after provoking fights and biting people at a bar on South Circle Drive Wednesday evening. The man lunged out of his wheelchair toward officers when they attempted to make contact with him at the bar on the 500 block of Circle Drive. One...
Colorado Springs man gets a year in prison in torture death of cat

A Colorado Springs man will serve a year in prison in the torture death of his roommates' pet cat, a judge ruled Thursday, citing the case's sexual overtones and what he called its "utter inhumanity." In ordering 22-year-old Stephen Lee Alexander into custody, 4th Judicial District Judge William Bain said a probationary sentence wouldn't fit...