Centennial
Citizen
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 50
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com For people with spinal cord injuries, recovery can be a long and difficult challenge, but a new program at Englewood’s Craig Hospital has some patients literally flying through the process. CraigFlight Mission, a unique partnership between Craig Hospital’s therapeutic recreation program and the Jeppesen Employees Flying Association, puts patients with spinal cord injuries into the cockpit of a small airplane for a short flight around the Denver skyline.
By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com It’s been three years since Andrew Gelston Graham was shot to death less than a mile from his Centennial home. Charges have yet to be filed. His body was found on a lawn in the 8700 block of East Phillips Place, not far from where he lived with his parents, early on Nov. 6, 2009. Despite suspicions centering on four people, the case remains unsolved. A grand jury gave up on the case this summer after 18 months of duty, testimony from 63 witnesses and more than 100 exhibits — including photographs, letters, transcripts and recordings — stating that it lacked enough hard evidence to recommend a trial. Cynthia Graham, Andrew’s mother,
Police arrest slaying suspect jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com
Volunteer pilots and ground crew joined Craig personnel and patients on Oct. 27 at Centennial Airport to demonstrate the many life options still available, even after catastrophic injury. South Dakota farmer Rex Haskins suffered a “spinal stroke” that has him, for now, confined to a wheelchair. But for Haskins, a pilot with more than 2,000 logged hours, the loss of his ability to walk also meant loss of his ability to fly. “I used to hop in my plane and fly around.” he said. “It’s just a real sense of freedom that you can’t find anywhere else, and I’m really looking forward to getting back in the cockpit.” The primary goal of the program is to get patients interested in and focused on recovery with a “can do” kind of attitude, explained Bert Mendardi, Craig Hospital therapeutic recreation specialist.
It’s also a convenient opportunity to educate patients, who are mostly wheelchair-bound, on issues such as transportation challenges, accessibility and other milestones toward independence. “When we buckle a Craig patient into the cockpit of an airplane, we take off hoping that we can share a bit of our passion for flying with them,” said Jeppesen president and CEO Mark Van Tine. “But when we land, we realize they’ve shared their own sense of spirit, courage and determination with us. The experience is simply inspiring for everyone involved.” Craig patient Jake Nelson, 27, hopes to start ground school as soon as he’s able. “I mean really, who doesn’t want to fly?” he said. “Craig is the best hospital; they care and they know when and how much to push you to help you meet your goals.”
Centennial homicide unsolved after three years Anniversary of grad student’s death brings no closure
ourcentennialnews.com
By Jennifer Smith
Planes help spirits, hopes soar By Deborah Grigsby
A Colorado Community Media Publication
Options High student was killed outside party
Craig Hospital patient Rex Haskins straps in for a flight in a small as therapist Claire Cahow look on. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
Volunteer pilots, ground crew take therapy to new level
November 2, 2012
received a letter earlier from Assistant District Attorney Robert Chappell and Chief Deputy District Attorney Emily Warren. It explained that although law enforcement efforts had developed multiple Graham suspects during the investigation, the admissible evidence against them “consisted of not much more than what existed before the grand jury investigation began.” Court documents from the grand jury tell a tale of witnesses who recanted statements, admitted that testimony they provided came from news accounts or rumor, and provided information that was in direct conflict with evidence. Graham was a bright 23-year-old graduate student in engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Sheriff’s reports indicate he was walking home after departing a light rail train when a confrontation occurred.
When his body was found, his wallet, money and credit cards were undisturbed, as was his briefcase, which was found nearly two blocks away, according to reports by Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson. “The grand jury feels they have exhausted all avenues at this time,” said the report. “The grand jury is hopeful that in the future additional information will come forward that will rise to the level needed to determine the facts in this case and hold someone accountable for Andrew Graham’s homicide.” “Some crimes are not solved until years after they occur,” said Chappell and Warren in the letter. “The Graham case is still very active,” Robinson said. “We continue to work leads and we continue to work additional information.” A candlelight vigil in memory of Graham will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at 7700 S. Willow St., Centennial.
The Littleton Police Department has arrested a suspect in October’s fatal shooting. Dion Rankin, 20, of Englewood, is being held without bond at the Arapahoe County jail, facing a firstdegree murder charge, police said Oct. 24. Centennial resident Da Von Flores, 18, was killed in Littleton on Oct. 19. He and a 17-year-old boy were found shot at the intersection of Fox Street Rankin and Berry Avenue. Police confirmed that the altercation began at a house party in a home on Fox Street. Neighborhood teens said it involved gang members with a “previous beef” who took their argument outside, where guns were drawn. A little after 11 p.m., shots rang out. Police were just a block away at the time and arrived quickly on the scene. A young girl watching police work on the afternoon of Oct. 20 said Flores was her longtime friend and recently became the father of a baby boy. Flores was a senior at Options High School and was on track to graduate this December, confirms Littleton Public Schools spokeswoman Diane Leiker. “Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” she said. A memorial Facebook page says a fund has been started at Public Service Credit Union for the Flores family to help with funeral costs and the baby. The other shooting victim won’t be identified by police because he’s a juvenile, but friends knew him as Chase. He was taken to the hospital from the scene; there’s been no word as to his condition since then. There’s also been no comment from police as to whether they’re seeking additional suspects, but detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and evaluate evidence, police said last week. The community is weighing in on Flores’ memorial Facebook page. “God has plans for everyone. This is no joke,” writes Donald James Farley. “And I hope it really opens up peoples’ eyes to see what is actually going on in this `little town.’ May you Rest In Peace bro. You will never be forgotten.” “We are losing too many young (people) to gun violence,” writes David P. Howard. “We have to band together before another young person loses their life. God help all this evil in the world. Kids should not die before they have had a chance to live. Stop the violence.”
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