Is Anyone on Death Row in CO?

The Idaho Murder Case Everyone Is Talking About Again

A murder case that took place in 2022 in Idaho is back in the headlines this week.

For the past few years, the entire nation has been engrossed in the story of Bryan Kohberger and how he admittedly killed four students at the University of Idaho, according to ABC News.

The names of these students were: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

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This story is once again in the headlines due to the ongoing trial.

Kohberger Takes a Plea Deal—Here’s What It Means

In early July, Kohlberger actually pled guilty to all counts so he could take a plea deal. In accordance with this agreement, the death penalty was taken off the table.

Hearing this shocking news had me wondering just how many people were on death row here in Colorado.

Is the Death Penalty Still Legal in Colorado?

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After doing some research I discovered that the death penalty was actually abolished in the Centennial State not too long ago.

When Did Colorado Abolish Capital Punishment?

In a report from the Death Penalty Information Center, in March of 2020 Colorado became the 22nd state to abolish the death penalty.

Governor Jared Polis signed the legislation on March 23rd thus repealing this statute and commuted the sentence for the three inmates on death row. All of them received life in prison, saving them from the death sentence.

These Were the Last Death Row Inmates in Colorado

The three individuals that were on death row in Colorado when the ban went into place were: Nathan Dunlap, Sir Mario Owens, and Robert Ray.

Who Is Nathan Dunlap?

Dunlap was tried in 1996 for the murder of three teenagers and one fifty year old woman at a Chuck E. Cheese in Aurora, according to reports.

Details of the Chuck E. Cheese Massacre

The murders took place in 1993 when Dunlap was just nineteen years old. He was working as a cook at this restaurant before getting into an argument with his supervisor.

He was sentenced to death during a trial court proceeding by a unanimous jury.

Who Is Sir Mario Owens?

In 2008, Owens was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death due to a 2005 crime.

He was found guilty of the murders of Javad Marshall-Fields and Owen's fiancé Vivian Wolfe.

Why This Case Is Still Under Review

According to reports, Marshall-Fields was a witness to a murder that Owens committed the summer before. This case is currently in appeals partly due to alleged racial bias during jury selection.

Who Is Robert Ray?

Ray's case directly correlates with Sir Mario Owens.

This man allegedly ordered Owens to carry out the deaths of Javad Marshall-Fields and Vivian Wolfe.

The Charges Against Ray

Court reports alleged that Ray was out on bond at the time of the incident and went to a liquor store to create a video alibi.

He was charged with two counts of first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, intimidating a witness, and bribery of a witness.

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