Author: Jenny Deam
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Denver police reopen 13 sex assault cases after retesting Missy Woods’ CBI work
Thirteen previously closed Denver sexual assault cases have been reopened after the city’s crime lab retested DNA evidence once analyzed by former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic analyst Yvonne Woods. A police spokesperson told The Denver Gazette the once-closed cases are now being actively reinvestigated, although no arrests have been made so far. Woods, 66,…
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Disgraced ex-CBI analyst Missy Woods sentenced to prison in DNA scandal
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A Jefferson County district court judge on Tuesday sentenced a disgraced former Colorado Bureau of Investigation DNA analyst to a decade in prison for altering and deleting data in scores of criminal cases over several years. Jefferson County District Judge Andrew Poland sentenced Yvonne Woods to 10 years on the most serious felony charge —…
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Colorado judge blasts state forensics lab in dismissing child sex case
In a potentially widely consequential action, a Weld County district judge dismissed a child sexual assault case, citing the continuing scandal at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s forensic lab that “has left a dark mark on the history of Colorado justice.” On Aug. 2, Judge Vincente Vigil granted a defense motion to dismiss the charges…
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Colorado judge blasts state forensics lab in dismissing child sex case
In a potentially widely consequential action, a Weld County district judge dismissed a child sexual assault case, citing the ongoing scandal at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s forensic lab that “has left a dark mark on the history of Colorado justice.” On Aug. 2, Judge Vincente Vigil granted a defense motion to dismiss the charges…
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Routt County DA’s office faces multiple investigations after it drops high-profile rape case
Routt County’s district attorney and deputy district attorney are now under increasing scrutiny on multiple fronts for their handling of the alleged drugging, rape and near-strangulation of a nationally ranked cross-country skier. The fallout from their decision not to prosecute the suspect in Kiersten May’s sexual assault case despite medical, forensic and toxicology evidence that…
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Missy Woods accepts plea deal, avoids trial on 102 felony counts
The former top Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist accused of altering and deleting DNA evidence in scores of criminal cases across the state for years pleaded guilty to four criminal counts Tuesday in Jefferson County. Yvonne “Missy” Woods, 65, changed her plea rather than face trial on 102 felony charges that included one count…
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Colorado legislators pass bill that sponsors say would strengthen sex crime victim protections
A Colorado bill that supporters say would strengthen victim protections and mandate law enforcement training on how trauma can affect survivors of sex crimes and domestic violence is on its way to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk for signing. Senate Bill 26-095 recently passed unanimously in the Senate and was mostly unopposed in the House, where…
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Dismissal sought in Michael Clark’s second trial
The murder conviction of Michael Clark should be dismissed due to a 32-year delay that led to crucial evidence being lost or destroyed, a bungled police investigation and “outrageous conduct” at the state crime lab, according to defense motion filed late Friday afternoon. Clark, now 50, was convicted of first-degree murder in October 2012 in…
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Assisted-living facility in Colorado faced minimal fine after death of 73-year-old man
On Jan. 6, just after 8:30 p.m., Robert Dutkevitch rolled his wheelchair onto the smoking patio outside The Argyle assisted-living facility in Denver. Minutes later, the 73-year-old suddenly slumped in his chair, his head lolling to the side. He then fell headfirst into some rocks, not moving. Another resident outside went in to report what…
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Colorado lawmakers tackle legislation on sexual assault
A panel of Colorado lawmakers on Monday unanimously approved a bill that supporters say will offer protections and support to victims of domestic violence, stalking, sex trafficking and sexual assault, including mandatory training for law enforcement on trauma. The measure, Senate Bill 26-095, would also allow accusers in those crimes to potentially testify via closed-circuit…