75 CENTS
January 3, 2019
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
STORIES OF THE YEAR
A look back at the news events that shaped 2018 in the area BY CHRIS ROTAR CROTAR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A
suspect’s arrest in December 2017 inspired hope of justice among friends and family members of Randy Wilson, a Kiowa teacher who was found dead, believed by authorities to have been murdered, in 2010. But a year later, the case turned cold once more. On Dec. 3, the murder charge against Dan Pesch, 35, was dismissed. Prosecutors said they no longer believed they could convince a jury that Pesch was guilty. In 2017, Pesch had told authorities he killed Wilson. He later said he was lying, and police records show that Pesch had falsely confessed to crimes in the past. Meanwhile, evidence failed to make a compelling case against Pesch. Testimony from investigators showed that his confessions didn’t match the crime scene and DNA tests failed to connect him to crucial pieces of evidence. District Attorney George Brauchler said his office
remains steadfast in hopes of convicting a killer in the case. “Someone out there hasn’t been held accountable,” Brauchler said. “I want to bring justice on behalf of Mr. Wilson and his family, and that hasn’t been done yet.” The following is a look at some of the other stories that helped shape 2018 in the south metro Denver area, as chosen by editor Chris Rotar, with input from the reporting staff. Year begins with mourning On the last day of 2017, Douglas County Sheriff ’s Deputy Zackari Parrish, 29, was fatally shot by a man authorities believe was mentally ill at an apartment complex in Highlands Ranch. Matthew Riehl, 37, also wounded four law enforceParrish ment officers and two civilians before being shot to death by members of the regional
Dan Pesch and his public defender, Elizabeth Orton, are shown during a court appearance in September. FILE PHOTO/DAVID GILBERT
SWAT team, according to the sheriff ’s office. By New Year’s Day, details would emerge about Riehl, a
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Colorado’s population grew by 79,662 residents from 2017 to 2018, eighth most in the nation. Source: U.S. Census Bureau
VOICES: PAGE 6 | LIFE: PAGE 9 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11
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VOLUME 123 | ISSUE 49