September 17
COLORADO:
As DA weighs Watts case, past capital punishment trials prove costly, time
consuming----DA has 63 days from arraignment to determine whether to pursue
capital punishment
It's been more than 3 weeks since Christopher Watts was formally advised of the
charges in his triple homicide case, and it'll be 2 months before he returns to
Weld District Court on Nov. 19 for a status conference.
Given the high-profile nature of the crime and the media attention it has
already garnered, one question remains at the top of the public's mind: Will
Weld District Attorney Michael Rourke seek the death penalty for the alleged
murders of Shanann, Bella and Celeste Watts?
During a news conference this past month after charges had been filed, Rourke
said it was too early in the process to make that decision. On Thursday, Krista
Henery, spokeswoman for the Weld District Attorney's Office, reiterated
Rourke's earlier statement.
And it likely won't be until some time next year before a decision has been
made.
According to Colorado law, a district attorney has 63 days from the date of an
arraignment to determine whether to pursue capital punishment in a murder case.
An arraignment hearing isn't on the docket yet and won't be scheduled until
Watts' next hearing in November.
(soruce: Denver Post)
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