Regardless of its marijuana theme, Greeley’s Cheba Hut sandwich shop may soon serve beer after all, the Greeley Tribune reports.
Weld District Court Judge Daniel Maus overturned a Greeley’s judge’s decision to deny Cheba Hut’s liquor license denial last spring. Municipal judge Robert Frick denied Cheba Hut owner’s Scott Jennings’ liquor license at the sandwich shop, citing concerns about its marijuana theme, as well as concerns over a manager who had two previous DUIs, and that he doubted the reliability of a a neighborhood petition of people who had no objection to the shop serving alcohol.

Cheba Hut Appeal Decision-1

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Judge Tosses Army’s Expansion Plan
U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch has thrown out an environmental review of the Army’s plan to increase its training at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in Denver.
http://www.examiner.com/a-2207463~Judge_scuttles_environmental_review_of_Army_plan.html

Hoffman Took On Challenges Until The End
Former Trial Lawyer and University of Denver College of Law Dean Dan Hoffman continued to take on new projects until his death Sept. 1 at age 78.
http://statebillnews.com/?p=2716

Judge Rejects Plea Deal
14th Judicial Judge Mary Hoak rejected the argument by Brian Wilson, accused in an armed robbery, that she didn’t have legal authority to turn down a proposed plea agreement from the district attorney.
http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20090908/NEWS/909089995/1079&ParentProfile=1067

Mental Evaluation Ordered For Murder Suspect
Heath Johnston, accused of first-degree murder, was ordered by 9th Judicial District Court Judge Gail Nichols to undergo a mental evaluation before his trial. The evaluation will postpone the trial at least three more months.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20090909/VALLEYNEWS/909089983/1074

Thompson Attorneys: Toss Case
Defense attorneys for Aaron Thompson Tuesday asked Arapahoe County District Judge Valeria Spencer to drop the child abuse resulting in death case because of insufficient evidence. She declined.
http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_13291734?source=commented-

Broncos Rookie Misses Practice For Court
Denver Broncos rookie tight end Richard Quinn missed practice Tuesday to appear in Arapahoe County Court on an obstruction of telephone service harassment charge. The charge stemmed from a Monday disturbance with Quinn’s girlfriend, Tiffany Merritt.
http://www.examiner.com/x-2549-Denver-Broncos-Examiner~y2009m9d8-TE-Richard-Quinn-misses-practice-for-Arapahoe-County-court-date

Judge Reserves Decision On Ballot Measure
4th Judicial District Court Judge David Miller reserved decision Tuesday on a request from anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce to force elections officials to change the working of a measure on the November ballot. The measure would phase out fees collected by the city enterprises.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/measure-61655-judge-ballot.html

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett wants clarity on the Colorado medical marijuana law. He particularly wants to clean up the vagueness with how dispensaries operate.
http://www.coloradodaily.com/cu-boulder/ci_13272894

No Direct Evidence Provided In Thompson Trial
Several weeks into trial, no direct evidence has been provided linking Aaron Thompson to the death of his daughter, Aarone. Instead, prosecutor Bob Chappell has questioned several of the other children living in the Thompson home.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13283646

DA’s Council Receives Grant
The Colorado District Attorney’s Council received a $250,000 award to help improve the “ACTION” computer application used for case management. It’s expected to manage resources more efficiently in rural areas of the state.
http://www.montrosepress.com/articles/2009/09/06/news/doc4aa3231bb687c161635557.txt

Convicted Officers Rarely Face Jail Time
Colorado officers who commit crimes rarely face serious jail time, according to a recent study from the Colorado Department of Corrections.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13279083

Mediation Efforts Expanded in S.W. Colorado
Southwest Colorado judicial districts are expanding mediation services to help resolve conflicts outside of court and avoid costly litigation.
http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/09/06/Mediation_efforts_get_boost_in_SW_Colo/

Salida Man Guilty Of Murder
A jury last week found 23-year-old Salida man Andrew Tanner guilty of first degree murder.
http://www.themountainmail.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=17201

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

U.S. District Court Judge Walker Miller on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction that environmental groups proved their case that drilling for oil would cause irreparable injury to Colorado’s Baca National Wildlife Refuge.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hIvNUWDungClu_l7WIxytbqdk-QQD9AG5AR82

Judge Orders Release Of Ethics Commission’s Records
Chief Denver District Court Judge Larry Naves issued a ruling earlier this week ordering the state’s Independent Ethics Commission to release tape recordings made during a dozen secret meetings held earlier this year. Five of the meetings involved the commission’s deliberations in connection with a complaint filed against U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman by Colorado Ethics Watch.
http://www.examiner.com/x-2819-Denver-Statehouse-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Court-Rules-Ethics-Commission-Violated-Open-Meetings-Law

No DNA Found In Aarone’s Room
DNA from Aarone Thompson was not found in the room the girls slept in at Aaron Thompson’s Aurora home. DNA was found from the three other girls, but there was none from Aarone. The trial is wrapping up its fourth week and is recessed until Tuesday.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13265958

Newspaper Pushes Release Of Videos
The Longmont Times-Call has renewed its call for a judge to review tapes of the city council’s closed door meetings. The newspaper argues the council violated the Colorado Open Meetings Law.
http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=17912

AG Files Lawsuit Against Roofing Company
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers filed a lawsuit against roofing company Claims Specialists International alleging the company collected more than $1 million in insurance money for repairs to hail damaged houses, but never repaired any of the houses. At least 400 homes have been identified.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13261736

Springs Judge Bars Immigrations Center’s Operation
Colorado Springs Judge Theresa Cisneros barred the Immigration Center from operations and continued a freeze on the company’s bank accounts until a hearing in May. The company is accused of misleading customers into believing they were dealing with federal immigration officials.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/immigration-61349-judge-company.html

Grand County Court Report
The Sky-Hi Daily News rounds of the week’s latest court news.
http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20090902/NEWS/909029997/1067’

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

Order to Make Records Available for Public Inspection 00238657

090409TCreply

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

The Leo Cisneros child abuse resulting in death trial is underway in Denver District Court after his 10-year-old daughter Auralia was shot in the face during a gunfire exchange between Cisneros and three robbers in the family’s west Denver apartment in November 2007. Deputy District Attorney George Poland argued that Cisneros caused his daughter’s death by selling marijuana out of the apartment. Cisneros’ lawyer, Laura Menninger, told jurors he was defending himself from intruders.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13249659

Therapist: ‘Children Were Beaten Ferociously’
Psychotherapist Vickie Kearney, who worked with the girls living in the Thompson home, testified that one of the daughters of Shelly Lowe told her that Aaron Thompson beat the kids repeatedly until Lowe sometimes had to pull him off. Thompson is on trial for child abuse resulting in death after his daughter Aarone was reported missing in 2005.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13254134“>http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13254134

Department of Public Health Files Lawsuit
Officials at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Tuesday filed documents in a U.S. District Court lawsuit claiming the Pueblo Chemical Weapons Depot near Pueblo isn’t doing enough to ensure the safety of its workers, the environment or the people living near the thousands of tons of deadly mustard agent.
http://cbs4denver.com/wireapnewsco/Colorado.wants.increased.2.1160208.html

Former Wrestler Seeks Plea Deal
Former Rifle wrestler James Conrardy is seeking a plea deal with prosecutors. Conrardy is charged with unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20090902/VALLEYNEWS/909019983/1074

Fort Collins Man Charged With Sex Assault
The Larimer County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against JJ Luis Alejandro alleging sexual assault against three teenage girls.
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090903/NEWS01/909030356/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02/Man-charged-in-sex-assaults-on-teens

Jury Convicts Man For Threatening Jury
A Colorado Springs jury Wednesday convicted Shannon Dillon Berry for threatening 10th Judicial District Judge Jann DuBois. Sentencing is Nov. 3.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/jury-61267-springs-wednesday.html

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Daniel Hoffman, former dean of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, died early Tuesday. Hoffman suffered a stroke in August.
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/08/31/daily44.html

Mercado Sentenced To Life
A Larimer County jury Tuesday afternoon found Pedro Mercado guilty of first-degree murder. The jury determined Mercado was the shooter in the Sept. 8, 2007, murder of Stephen Marble. Mercado was sentenced to life in prison.
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090902/NEWS01/909020338

Murder Victims Former Roommate Charged With Sexual Assault
J.J. Alejandro has been charged with sexually assaulting five teenage girls in Fort Collins. Alejandro is the former roommate of Greeley transgender murder victim Angie Zapata.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090902/NEWS/909019945/1002/NONE&parentprofile=1001

Three Finalists For Boulder Judgeship
The 20th Judicial District Nominating Commission selected three lawyers to fill retired Boulder District Judge Morris Sandstead’s seat. The three attorneys are Robert Matthews, Thomas Mulvahill and William Nagel.

http://statebillnews.com/?p=2512

Attorneys Question Witness’s Credibility
Public defenders Daniel Zettler and Bill Martinez questioned three witnesses stories Monday in Fremont County District Court, arguing that Andrew Tanner was not the killer of James Durgan.
http://www.themountainmail.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=17171

Former Cop On Trial On Assault Charges
The first day of a two-day trial started Tuesday for former Grand Junction police officer Richard Bacher, who is charged with third-degree assault in the accidental shooting of a co-worker at a local gun store in February of 2008.
http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/09/01/090209_3a_Bacher_trial.html

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Jury Starts Deliberating In Mercado Trial
The jurors in the Pedro Mercado first-degree murder trial were sent home for the day after deliberating for five hours Monday. Prosecutor Michael Peterson said in closing arguments that there is no reasonable doubt that Mercado murdered Stephen Marble on Sept. 8, 2007. Defense attorney David Moorhead countered that there were no reliable witnesses throughout the trial.
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090901/NEWS01/909010319

Shaggy Bandit In Custody
U.S. Attorney David Gauette charged Michael Alan Kincade and Christopher Lee Richardson with bank robbery. Both men were advised of the charges Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver.
http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-shaggybandit-083109,0,958739.story

Denver Attorney Named Elections Director
Kelly Garnsey Hubbell and Lass attorney Judd Choate will take over as Colorado’s new elections director the first week in October. Choate’s current practice specializes in election law and commercial litigation.
http://www.kdvr.com/news/sns-ap-co–coloradoelectionsdirector,0,2586306.story

River Bandit Gets Two Years
Glenwood Springs man Dryden McIntosh received a two-year prison sentence for motor vehicle theft, aggravated driving under revocation and evading police. McIntosh ran from police and jumped in the Colorado River in an attempt to escape.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20090901/VALLEYNEWS/909019994/1074

Thompson’s Mother Testifies
Aaron Thompson’s mother testified Monday that the last time she spoke with Aarone was in 2004. Thompson is charged with child abuse resulting in death after the disappearance of Aarone.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13242591

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

By Peter Rossi
LAW WEEK COLORADO
Editor’s Note: Statewide trial reporter Peter Rossi rounds up today’s court news.

Florence prisoners Richard Steele and Edward Eviey filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Denver against the U.S. Bureau of Prisoners alleging the guards used excessive force during a prison riot. The prisoners claim guards shot between 400 and 500 rounds during the April 20, 2008, riot.
http://www.kjct8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11015935

Pueblo Postal Worker Indicted
Dale Tafoya, a former clerk at Pueblo’s main post office, has been charged with stealing more than $1,000 of U.S. Postal Service money. The indictment alleges he stole postal sales revenue.
http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/08/26/news/local/doc4a94cdab93d02847881083.txt

Flag Thief Sentenced
Mesa County man Troy Milam did not contest charges of stealing a world peace flag last year and was sentenced to a month’s home detention
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20090829/NEWS/908299992/1078&ParentProfile=1062

Glenwood Deputy DA Heads To Virgin Islands
Ninth Judicial Deputy District Attorney Ed Veronda is leaving his post in Glenwood Springs to take a prosecutor job in the Virgin Islands.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20090831/VALLEYNEWS/908309995/1074

Durango Police Miffed At District Attorney
The Durango Police Department is upset with the increasing number of cases being dismissed under the administration of District Attorney Todd Risberg.
http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Editorial/2009/08/31/Dismissals/

Voters To Decide On Term Limits For DA
The Eagle County Commissioners approved to put a ballot question on the ballot this November asking voters to decide whether 5th Judicial District Attorney Mark Hurlburt would be able to run for a third term.
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20090818/NEWS/908189952/1078&ParentProfile=1062

Have a trial you want to tell us about? Do you have questions about our future trial coverage? Send your queries to Peter Rossi at prossi@circuitmedia.com.

Douglas County District Court Judge Vincent White has sentenced Mark H. Polunci, 52, to seven years in prison for his involvement in a Ponzi scheme.

20090828_Polunci Sentencing Release

Polunci Indictment

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