Citizen CENTENNIAL 3.8.13
Centennial
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 16
March 8, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcentennialnews.com
Suspect in slaying ruled competent Preliminary hearing set for April in case of mother’s death By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com The Centennial man charged with killing and dismembering his mother has been deemed competent to stand trial. Ari Misha Liggett, 24, appeared in an Arapahoe County court Feb. 27, where the results of his court-ordered competency exam were entered into record.
“Based on the Feb. 11 competency exam conducted at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, and the opinion of the doctor who did the examination, Mr. Liggett is competent to proceed toward adjudication,” said Judge John L. Wheeler. “He is competent to stand trial.” Liggett’s attorney, Jennifer Ahnstedt, had originally Liggett objected to the evaluation, arguing prior medical and psychiatric records were privileged. The judge denied the motion, making documents accessible to state doctors.
Although the defense offered no objection to CMHIP’s findings, Ahnstedt did object to the prosecution retaining Liggett’s mental health records, asking the court to order them returned and sealed. “The only reason we agreed to make the defendant’s records available to the prosecution is so they would have the opportunity to challenge the findings,” said Ahnstedt. Senior Deputy District Attorney Brian Sugioka objected, insisting he was unaware of any authority that would require the prosecution to destroy or “unlearn” information granted to them under court order. Ahnstedt argued that if the prosecution retained Liggett’s records, the information could be used for purposes other than the
terms to which the parties agreed. “My client has a right to privilege and is executing that right today and would like to have the materials returned,” she said. Wheeler described Ahnstedt’s request as a type of “restraining order on the documents,” and is expected to file a written ruling settling the matter. Liggett, a former University of Colorado student, is thought to have poisoned his mother, 56-year-old Beverly Liggett, after being removed from her will. He was arrested Oct. 17 after law enforcement officials found human body parts in the back of his vehicle. Liggett will be back in court April 12, when his preliminary hearing will begin.
Gun-control bills advance Two sides stake out positions on day when Democrats prevail By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Seven Democratic-sponsored gun control bills passed state legislative committees on March 4, following a remarkable day where swarms of people filled the Capitol to make their voices heard on the most polarizing political issue of the session. The seven bills passed two Democraticcontrolled Senate committees on party-line votes, following lengthy hearings that often became emotional — and sometimes got a little rowdy. Report The first bill hearing began just after 10:30 a.m., with passage of the seventh and final bill of the day taking place about 12 hours later. There was plenty of buzz in and around the Capitol throughout much of the day — including honking vehicles that drove around the Capitol in circles all day long, in what was a grating display of displeasure from those opposed to the gun-control measures. Those in favor of the bills also made their opinions known before the hearings started. A press conference was held by gun violence victims and family members whose lives have been affected by mass shootings, all of whom called for tighter gun laws. One of them was Mark Kelly, the space shuttle commander and husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. On Jan. 8, 2011, Giffords was seriously injured in a shooting rampage while she was hosting a constituent event that took place outside a grocery store near Tucson. The shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, used a Glock 18 semiautomatic handgun to fire more than 30 rounds in a matter of seconds into the crowd, killing six people and injuring many. Loughner ended up pleading guilty to several federal charges and is now serving life in prison. After the press event, Kelly testified in support of House Bill 1229, which requires universal background checks for gun sales
Capitol
Real-life Army wife Alina Wilson has tried many things to keep her children connected to their father while he is deployed, but she says when things get tough, it’s hard to beat a hug. Wilson, who is a finalist for the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year, hopes to use the platform to combat the effects of deployment on military children. Photos by Deborah Grigsby
Military wife has eye on prize By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews. com True-life Army wife Alina Wilson knew her husband’s year-long deployment would try her emotionally and physically; that was no surprise. But what she didn’t know was just how much of a toll it would take on their two young children, and that her efforts to remedy the problem would find her a finalist for the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year Award, sponsored by Military Spouse magazine. Wilson, who is married to Centennial-based soldier Capt. Jeff Wilson, is among 18 semi-finalists for a national award that recognizes military spouses from all branches of service for their commitment to the military community. Finalists compete through online voting for the title and an opportunity to further a project or initiative that benefits service members and their families. Wilson’s initiative is to raise awareness to the effects of multiple and long-term deploy-
Along with posters, Alina Wilson creates story books using her own family photos. The books will help connect her children with their father during his upcoming deployment. ments on children of military personnel. “Military kids are incredibly resilient, but they are still at greater risk for having anxiety, depression and problems at school,” said Wilson. “And that’s just the worst torture to have to see your kids go through that.” According to the Parker mother of three, there’s not an abundance of information on
the subject, and what is out there is often academic and hard to apply as parent. “Schools are sometimes at a loss, too,” she explained. “Many of them, particularly if they are not near a major installation, have little or no experience with military kids.” Wilson’s own children experienced behavioral problems during their father’s first de-
ployment. Although she was able to work with the school to find remedies, Wilson said the problem of her husband’s absence would re-emerge when they came home from school. “So I began reaching out and asking questions, and what I found was that I wasn’t alone.” Over the course of Jeff’s deployment, Wilson began to build a powerful network of resources and began sharing those ideas with others, a move that eventually became her passion — and her contest platform. Although she’s not sure what to call her project yet, she is sure it’s something she will continue to pursue on her own. “Simple things like having a battle buddy to bounce ideas off of can really make a difference,” she said. “I’m very honored to have been nominated and hope through this process, whether I win or lose, I can continue to help others and raise awareness.” The Military Spouse of the Year will be announced at an awards banquet May 9.
Guns continues on Page 10
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