August 15, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 9, Issue 12
Medical experts to testify in Sigg trial By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com
Golden Optimist member Suzy Stutzman works on refurbishing a bicycle that has been donated so it can in turn be given to a person in need of transportation. The Optimists can spend anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours working on refurbishing a bicycle at the Optimists’ Bicycle Shop at Heritage Square. Photos by Sara Van Cleve
Optimists help get residents riding Golden Optimsits, Arvada partner for bike refurbishment, donation program By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com
M
any people probably have an old bicycle sitting in their garage or shed. You know the one. The one with a flat tire or a worn out seat or one that just isn’t rode anymore. The Golden Optimists, now partnering with the city of Arvada, are giving hundreds of bicycles just like that a second life and a new rider. Ted Rains, a member of the Golden Optimists started the club’s bike refurbishment program in 1990 with one old bike, and it is still going strong today. “The Optimists were looking for something to do to help a bit and I bought a new bicycle and had an old bike to get rid of,” said Rains, chair of the bike program. “I found out it can be hard to get rid of old bikes, so I said why don’t we collect bikes like this and donate them to a senior citizen center.” Optimists continues on Page 20
Anne Tully, the Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator with the city of Arvada, and Howard Bagdad, president of the Golden Optimists, unload bicycles donated by Arvada residents at the Golden Optimists Bicycle Shop at Heritage Square. The Optimists refurbish about 225 bicycles per year and donate them to people who may not be able to afford one.
Woman in costume removed from council meeting Resident wearing wig, nose arrested for disorderly conduct after yelling in Council Chambers By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com A woman was removed from the Arvada Council Chambers Aug. 5 and arrested for disorderly conduct prior to public comment. The woman, Amanda Chilton, 44, entered the Council Chambers wishing to address council about an unknown subject while wearing a costume, including a wig and “Pinocchio” nose. “She was removed because she was dressed inappropriately for public comment,” said Arvada Police spokeswoman Jill McGranahan. “She refused to cooperate and would not leave the Council Chamber after being requested to do so by the mayor. She was then forcibly removed. An officer grabbed her arm and
she sat on the floor and started yelling loudly, so two officers carried her out by her arms.” Chilton was arrested for disorderly conduct and issued a municipal summons for the charge. She was also trespassed from City Hall, 8101 Ralston Rd., for one year, which prohibits her from being on the property at any time until Aug. 5, 2014. Arvada Communications Manager Wendy Forbes said the City Council Rules of Procedure Governing Meetings outlines what is and isn’t allowed during council meetings. The incident, Forbes said, would fall under rule number seven, “Decorum at City Council Meetings,” letter B. The rule states that any activity which interferes with the orderly operation of public business during City Council meetings is prohibited. The rules are posted outside of the Council Chambers, Forbes said. It is at the discretion of the presiding officer, in this case Mayor Marc Williams, to determine what is considered infer-
ence with the meeting. “The use of a costume was disorderly conduct,” Forbes said. “If she had taken off the wig and prosthetic nose and sat down quietly, the verbal reprimand would have been the end of it.” The procedure of removal of a person found to be disruptive is also found in the City Council rules, Forbes said. “In the event any person or person interrupts the business of a City Council meeting or causes disorder, the presiding officer may require such person to immediately cease the offensive behavior and/ or leave the meeting,” Forbes said the rule reads. “Should such person fail to immediately comply with such direction, the presiding officer shall direct the sargeant at arms or a police officer to remove the individual from the Council Chambers or that portion of City Hall which can be seen from City Council’s chamber hall. If the officer believes a statue or ordinance has been violated, the person can be cited.” Chilton could not be contacted for comment about the incident.
Two expert witnesses were approved by District Court Chief Judge Stephen Munsinger during the Aug. 7 Austin Sigg motions hearing. Sigg, 18, is accused of kidnapping and killing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway, of Westminster, in October. He is also accused of attempting to abduct a woman jogging around Ketner Lake in May 2012. The judge ruled that Dr. Tracey Corey, a forensic pathologist, and Dr. Kathryn Wells, a pediatrician who specializes in child abuse, would have the opportunity to testify in court on the prosecution’s behalf. Both women testified during the Aug. 7 hearing in Jefferson County court, describ- Sigg ing their qualifications and involvement in the Ridgeway case. Corey, who testified via Skype, is the chief medical examiner for the state of Kentucky. She also works with the FBI and was called in to assist in the Ridgeway case. She was a consultant in the case with the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Wells, who testified in person, works for Denver Health and is the medical director at the Denver Family Crisis Center. She was asked by the prosecution to review case evidence regarding possible sexual assault. Jessica’s mother, Sarah Ridgeway, stepped out of the courtroom while the women described Jessica’s injuries. “I was asked to render an opinion of the forensic findings in the case,” Corey said. “My opinion was that there was evidence of blunt traumatic injury consistent with sexual assault.” Corey also testified that, based on her observations, Jessica’s body was dismembered after her death. The judge also ruled that statements made by Sigg and his mother over the phone when the mother called police will be admissible during the trial. Jury summonses were sent out the week of the hearing, and jury questionnaires will begin Sept. 20. Opening statements in the trial are scheduled to begin Oct. 3. The trial date for the Ketner Lake case was also set during the hearing and is scheduled for Jan. 13. Sigg’s next court appearance is Aug. 29. If convicted, he faces life in prison with a possibility of parole after 40 years. He faces 17 charges, including murder and sexual assault.
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