Parker chronicle 0726

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Chronicle Parker 7.26.13

Parker

Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 39

July 26, 2013 A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourparkernews.com

Veteran cop facing serious drug charges Littleton police officer is in federal custody By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Littleton Police Officer Jeffrey Allan Johnston, 46, is facing charges that could mean life in prison after being arrested by the FBI on drug charges July 19. Cmdr. Trent Cooper said the 22-year LPD veteran was taken into custody at his Parker

home without incident. “The alleged drug activity was confined to his personal life and there is no indication or belief that any criminal misconduct occurred in relation to his work with the Littleton Police Department,” said Johnston Cooper. According to an FBI affidavit, on July 15, Johnston called a known drug dealer who has peddled his wares dur-

ing parties at Johnston’s home in the past. Johnston asked if he could buy between 40 and 50 ecstasy pills. The FBI then conducted a “controlled delivery” of 37 pills and 6 grams of ecstasy powder, for which Johnston paid $1,300. Following the exchange, Johnston was taken into custody and his home was searched. In the kitchen, agents found the fresh delivery and a Colt Officers Model .45-caliber pistol loaded with seven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. They also found suspected cocaine, suspected

steroids, hundreds of suspected prescription pills, additional firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, empty pill pouches, a drug test kit and a scale. Johnston was taken to the Jefferson County Detention Center originally. He is now in federal custody, though FBI spokesperson Jeff Dorschner declined to specify where. Johnston appeared in court in to be advised of his rights and the charges on the Johnston continues on Page 20

Woman claims victim beat her Brown faces eight felonies for shooting in 2012 By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com

Parker Area Historical Society President Mike Mulligan surveys the grounds of the Tallman/Newlin Cabin, which was built in 1866 a half-mile from where it stands today in the northern part of Canterberry Crossing. Photos by Chris Michlewicz

Repairs planned on historic cabin More than $2,600 to be spent on Tallman/Newlin project By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Standing in a field on a quiet street in Canterberry Crossing is a piece of Parker’s early history, but even some residents living blocks away are unaware of its existence. The bright exterior colors on the Tallman/Newlin Cabin suggest devoted upkeep, but the tiny structure is once again in need of renovation. The Parker Area Historical Society, a nonprofit organization that watches over the last remnants of the past, partnered with the Smoky Hill Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on a $2,600 project to spruce up the cabin. Contractors will repair rotting steps, replace damaged latticing around the cabin base with a weather- and rodent-resistant material, put in a new back door, and apply a new coat of paint. Crews will also replace a barbed-wire fence, a rotted window and a door lock, as well as fixing up the pathway leading to the front of the cabin. Mike Mulligan, president of the historical society, said the improvements are necessary to preserve the nearly 150-year-old structure for future generations. The goal is to also introduce current Parkerites, most of whom have never heard of the Tallman/

Parker Area Historical Society President Mike Mulligan talks about the repairs planned for the Tallman/Newlin Cabin, which is being done with help from a local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. Newlin Cabin. Even in Canterberry Crossing, “people don’t know about it,” he said, aside from those who live in the vicinity of Callaway Road and Canterberry Drive. Built in 1866 by John and Elizabeth Tall-

A Parker woman who faces years behind bars for kidnapping and attempted murder says she fired at the victim because he beat her. Wendy Brown became emotional at times during a July 17 motions hearing that centered on statements she allegedly made to officers in the minutes and hours following the New Year’s Eve 2012 shooting of Jerry Diesel. Brown’s public defenders filed motions to block prosecutors from using the statements during her trial, which is tentatively set for Aug. 19 at the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center in Castle Rock. Brown faces charges of felony kidnapping, attempted first-degree murder, firstdegree assault against an at-risk victim, menacing, and four counts of attempted aggravated robbery. She pleaded not guilty in April. Parker police officers swarmed a home on Hastings Avenue in the Clarke Farms subdivision after emergency dispatchers received a call of a burglary in progress with possible shots fired. The first five officers to the scene testified about their interactions with Brown, as did lead detective Shannon Brukbacher. Kris Bryant, a sergeant with the Parker Police Department’s investigations unit who was the first person to respond to the shooting, said the first statement from Brown was that Diesel had physically assaulted her. She then said, “I shot him. I shot him in the back,” before repeatedly asking, “Is he alive?” Bryant testified. Brown reportedly then pulled up her shirt to reveal the side of her abdomen in what the officers described as an attempt to show injuries allegedly inflicted by Diesel. All but one of the officers who took the witness stand said they saw discoloration, but did not believe it was bruising, with Detective Penny VanDenBerg saying there were no indications that the marks were fresh. Brown was restrained after allegedly trying to follow VanDenBerg into the house as she checked on Diesel’s condition. He sufBrown continues on Page 20

man, some of the first settlers in the area, the cabin has a storied and sometimes tragic history. Just a few yards to the south Cabin continues on Page 20

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