Tribune Tri-Lakes 9-4-2013
September 4, 2013
Tri-Lakes
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
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Tri-Lakes Region, Monument, Gleneagle, Black Forest and Northern El Paso County • Volume 48, Issue 36
Judge protected because of Clements’ investigation Warned that 211 crew called for a “hit” By Rob Carrigan
rcarrigan@ourcoloradonews.com An El Paso County judge allegedly went into hiding and was placed under police protection after informants issued warnings that the 211 crew had put a “hit” on the judge’s life for his role in the investigation of the killing of Colorado’s prisons chief Tom Clements at his home near Monument.
But according to El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Joe Roybal, “the recent reports concerning the Tom Clements murder investigation and 211 Gang reported by the Denver Post requires clarification.” Clements “The Denver Post made several references to investigators in the article. These references are not attributed to El Paso County Sheriff’s Office investigators,” Roybal said.
“The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office continues to be the lead investigative agency into the death of Mr. Tom Clements and will provide information to the media when appropriate.” An anonymous source told The Denver Post that authorities learned that the 211, a white supremacist prison gang, had ordered the assassination of El Paso County Judge Jonathan Walker after at least two jail informants warned prison leaders. The hit is reportedly in retaliation for the 20 search warrants Walker signed on 211 gang members to uncover evidence linking them to
the March slaying of Clements. Clements was shot and killed at his home near Monument in northern El Paso County. The man suspected of killing Clements, Evan Ebel, 28, was reportedly a member of the 211 gang. Just days after Clement’s death, Ebel died in a shootout with Texas law enforcement. The gang was started by inmates at the Denver Jail 20 years ago. Allegedly, one of the founding members, Benjamin Davis, 38, may still be running the gang from behind bars. He has been sentenced to more than 100 years in prison at the Buena Vista Correctional Complex.
Black Forest group gains momentum
A HISTORY LESSON
Organization recently received $15,000 grant By Danny Summers
Dsummers@ourcoloradonews.com
The abandoned Presbyterian Church today, in what used to be Eastonville. See full story on page 10
Sign at this ranch, near what used to be the rail depot, marks the distance to Fort Worth, Texas, in one direction, and Denver in the other.
PHOTOS BY ROB CARRIGAN
Nearly three months after a devastating fire destroyed 486 homes and 5,000 acres of trees, Black Forest Together is stepping up its efforts to help all residents any way it can. “We’re here to help people in need or who don’t have insurance at all,” said Eddie Bracken, chairman of the board of directors of the citizen group. “We want to help recover, rebuild and restore the sense of community that was affected by this fire.” Bracken and his group have moved swiftly in their efforts. “Eight or nine of us got together within days after the fire broke out and figured out a plan,” said Bracken, whose home on Milam Road was spared during the fire. “We don’t have a bunch of paid people. We’re all volunteers. “This is not a short-term project. The recovery effort will go on for a long time.” In early August, Bracken and his group’s board of five directors set up a Community Resource Center at Black Forest Fire Station One, located on Teachout Road in the Forest. Operating hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The telephone number is 719-495-2445. You can also check out the web site at www. blackforesttogether.org. The resource center offers a sort of onestop shopping. It is modeled after Colorado Springs Together, the group that was formed after the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire that destroyed 347 homes in the Mountain Shadows part of the city. Forest continues on Page 10
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