GUILTY CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*

[Niner]

Strange.... I am getting nothing for the Jefferson County case for Patricia today....

 

[AmandaSkis]

Everything about this case, from the attacks to the killings to the joke of a judicial system, is disgusting.

 

[Niner]

and it appeared this morning...

Patricia's case:

Date Len Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
2/26/21
8:30 AM 1Hr EWING, ALEX Arraignment D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CTRM 5C

link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 3rd:
*Arraignment Hearing (Arapahoe Co) (@ 9am MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 2 counts of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon, 2 counts of sexual abuse of child, 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 4/19/21 thru 5/14/21.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 10/8/20 reference post #258 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
11/16/20 Update: Plead not guilty. Next motions hearings on 2/3 & 2/4/21 & on 2/23 & 2/24/21 & trial will begin on 4/19/21 thru 5/21/21. 12/9/20 Update: Judge rules the death penalty is off the table in the 1984 hammer murders of Bruce, Debra & Melissa Bennett. Suspect Ewing faces a maximum penalty of life in prison with parole possible after 20 years, according to ruling.
CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) charged (Jefferson County in CO on 8/10/18) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. $1M bond.
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Waiting for extradition to CO. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 9/1/20 reference post #258 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
11/6/20 Update: District Judge Tamara Russell granted the defense's emergency motion to delay arraignment hearing due to concerns about the pandemic. Prosecutors opposed it. Next status hearing on 12/10/20 to set arraignment date. And motions hearing 1/11/21 @ 2pm.
12/10/20 Update: Next motions hearing on 1/11/21. 1/11/21 Update: Arraignment hearing on 2/26/21.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Feb. 4th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 2 of 2) (Arapahoe Co) (@ 9am MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 2 counts of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon, 2 counts of sexual abuse of child, 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial set to begin on 4/19/21 thru 5/14/21.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 10/8/20 reference post #258 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
11/16/20 Update: Plead not guilty. Next motions hearings on 2/3 & 2/4/21 & on 2/23 & 2/24/21 & trial will begin on 4/19/21 thru 5/21/21. 12/9/20 Update: Judge rules the death penalty is off the table in the 1984 hammer murders of Bruce, Debra & Melissa Bennett. Suspect Ewing faces a maximum penalty of life in prison with parole possible after 20 years, according to ruling. 2/3/21 Update: Arraignment hearing continues on 2/4/21.
CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) charged (Jefferson County in CO on 8/10/18) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. $1M bond. Jefferson County
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Waiting for extradition to CO. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 9/1/20 reference post #258 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
11/6/20 Update: District Judge Tamara Russell granted the defense's emergency motion to delay arraignment hearing due to concerns about the pandemic. Prosecutors opposed it. Next status hearing on 12/10/20 to set arraignment date. And motions hearing 1/11/21 @ 2pm.
12/10/20 Update: Next motions hearing on 1/11/21. 1/11/21 Update: Arraignment hearing on 2/26/21.

 

[Niner]

Date Len Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
2/23/21
8:30 AM 1Hr EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

2/24/21
8:30 AM 1Hr EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

4/19/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201
4/20/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201
4/21/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201
4/22/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201
4/23/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201
4/26/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201
4/27/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201
4/28/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search

 

[Niner]

Older witnesses testify about 1984 Colorado hammer murders | 9news.com

Feb. 3, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — For more than an hour Wednesday morning, 87-year-old Connie Bennett answered questions about the worst day of her life – the snowy Monday morning in January 1984 when she entered the home of her son’s family and found an unimaginable scene of violence.
[.....]
Connie Bennett’s testimony came in an unusual hearing for Alex Christopher Ewing, the man identified as the suspect in the killings through a DNA hit in the summer of 2018.

Ewing is scheduled to go on trial in April on multiple counts of first-degree murder.

But the case has been beset by delays – and it’s possible there could be more – so Arapahoe County District Judge Michelle Amico allowed the testimony of several older witnesses now. If any of them are not available to testify when the trial is held, the videotaped testimony recorded Tuesday could be used.
[.....]
Also testifying Wednesday was Wilson Egan, a longtime Aurora police officer. Under questioning from prosecutor Megan Brewer, he described in detail scores of crime scene photographs.
[.....]
Ewing is due back in court Wednesday in the Bennett case. Testimony is expected from two more witnesses.

He’s scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 26 in the Smith case.

 

[Niner]

and another article re arraignment hearing.

Colorado hammer murder suspect's lawyers question evidence | 9news.com

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 23rd:
*Motions Hearing (Day 1 of 2) (Arapahoe Co) (@ 9am MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 2 counts of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon, 2 counts of sexual abuse of child, 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial set to begin on 4/19/21 thru 5/14/21.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 12/9/20 reference post #266 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
2/3/21 Update: Arraignment hearing/Testified: Connie Bennett (mother of Bruce) & Wilson Egan, Aurora police officer. Arraignment hearing continues on 2/4/21. 2/4/21 Update: Arraignment hearing/Testified: Wilson Egan, lead LE for case & Walter Moeller, crime scene technician. Next motions hearings on 2/23 & 2/24/21.
CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) charged (Jefferson County in CO on 8/10/18) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. $1M bond. Jefferson County
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Waiting for extradition to CO. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 12/10/20 reference post #266 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
1/11/21 Update: Arraignment hearing on 2/26/21.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 24th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 2 of 2) (Arapahoe Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon & 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial set to begin on 4/19/21 thru 5/14/21.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 12/9/20 reference post #266 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
2/3/21 Update: Arraignment hearing/Testified: Connie Bennett (mother of Bruce) & Wilson Egan, Aurora police officer. Arraignment hearing continues on 2/4/21. 2/4/21 Update: Arraignment hearing/Testified: Wilson Egan, lead LE for case & Walter Moeller, crime scene technician. Next motions hearings on 2/23 & 2/24/21.
2/23/21 Update: Defense attorneys for the man now set to stand trial in the case contend that Vanessa, who was horribly beaten but survived, was not sexually assaulted – and that police and prosecutors have repeatedly misled the public about that in court documents asserting that she was. And they want the judge to sanction the prosecution -- and even consider dropping the charges in the case. Other defense motions include a request for a change of venue and multiple efforts to suppress potential evidence. There are dozens of motions that have been filed by the defense but not yet ruled on. They cover the gamut – one asks for the dismissal of charges over the 34-year “delay in prosecution,” one seeks to suppress statements Ewing allegedly made to an Aurora police investigator in July 2018, and another asks that Ewing be allowed to appear in court without restraints. Next motions hearing on 2/24/21.
*CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) charged (Jefferson County in CO on 8/10/18) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. $1M bond. Jefferson County
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Waiting for extradition to CO. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 12/10/20 reference post #266 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
1/11/21 Update: Arraignment hearing on 2/26/21.

 

[Niner]

Looks like he got a continuance for his trial that was supposed to start on 4/19/21. I don't know "how" to look up the documents on "what" happened on the court site - anyone?


Docket for: Arapahoe County

Date Len Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
4/22/21
9:00 AM 1Hr EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search

 

[Niner]

Ah - had an article in Alert for this case!

Hammer murder trial delayed amid unresolved motions backlog | 9news.com

Feb. 24, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — A trial in one of Colorado’s most notorious murder cases – the 1984 hammer slayings of three members of an Aurora family – was delayed Wednesday after prosecutors, defense attorneys and the judge concluded they could not go before a jury in April as had been planned.
[.....]
The stumbling block to moving ahead with the trial sooner is that more than three dozen motions are still pending – 36 filed by defense attorneys, five by prosecutors.

“I’m exceptionally cognizant of the age of this particular case and the desire to move forward to trial,” Judge Michelle Amico said Wednesday morning during the second of two days of hearings aimed at addressing the motions.

The reality, however, is that all day Tuesday was taken up with testimony from witnesses on issues relating to only a handful of the unresolved motions. The judge has also indicated that some of the motions are going to require legal careful analysis and that will take time.

The defense is seeking a number of concessions – including the dismissal of all charges or other sanctions, and a change of venue. The effort to have charges dismissed – or other sanctions issued – center on the assertion by police and prosecutors over the past two decades that the killer sexually assaulted Vanessa Bennett.
[.....]
Defense attorneys also assert that extensive news reporting on the case over the years should lead the judge to move the trial to another jurisdiction.
[.....]
But the trial can’t go forward until all pending motions are argued and ruled on.
[.....]
Judge Amico scheduled the beginning of jury selection for July 23, with the trial itself slated to begin July 26. The court blocked out five weeks on its calendar.

 

[Niner]

Friday, February 26th:
*Arraignment Hearing (Jefferson Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) - *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (8/10/18) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. $1M bond. Jefferson County
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 12/10/20 reference post #271 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
1/11/21 Update: Arraignment hearing on 2/26/21.
CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 2 counts of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon, 2 counts of sexual abuse of child, 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County Trial was set to begin on 4/19/21 continued to 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial to start on 7/26/21 (will last 5 weeks).
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 2/4/21 reference post #271 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
2/23/21 Update: Defense attorneys for the man now set to stand trial in the case contend that Vanessa, who was horribly beaten but survived, was not sexually assaulted – and that police and prosecutors have repeatedly misled the public about that in court documents asserting that she was. And they want the judge to sanction the prosecution -- and even consider dropping the charges in the case. Other defense motions include a request for a change of venue and multiple efforts to suppress potential evidence. There are dozens of motions that have been filed by the defense but not yet ruled on. They cover the gamut – one asks for the dismissal of charges over the 34-year “delay in prosecution,” one seeks to suppress statements Ewing allegedly made to an Aurora police investigator in July 2018, and another asks that Ewing be allowed to appear in court without restraints. Next motions hearing on 2/24/21.
2/24/21 Update: Judge Michelle Amico & attorneys concluded they could not go before a jury in April as had been planned. The stumbling block to moving ahead with the trial sooner is that more than three dozen motions are still pending – 36 filed by defense attorneys, five by prosecutors. All day Tuesday was taken up with testimony from witnesses on issues relating to only a handful of the unresolved motions. The judge has also indicated that some of the motions are going to require legal careful analysis & that will take time. The defense is seeking a number of concessions – including the dismissal of all charges or other sanctions, and a change of venue. The effort to have charges dismissed – or other sanctions issued – center on the assertion by police & prosecutors over the past two decades that the killer sexually assaulted Vanessa Bennett. Defense attorneys also assert that extensive news reporting on the case over the years should lead the judge to move the trial to another jurisdiction. But the trial can’t go forward until all pending motions are argued & ruled on. Judge Amico scheduled the beginning of jury selection for July 23, with the trial itself slated to begin July 26. The court blocked out five weeks on its calendar. Trial continuance-granted. Next motions hearing on 4/22/21.

 

[Niner]

Patricia's case:

Date Len Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
4/16/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CTRM 5C

6/18/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CTRM 5C

link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search



I'm going to guess that he plead not guilty at his arraignment....

As I asked before - does anyone know "how" to find documents for this case? TIA!

 

[LR1]

does anyone know "how" to find documents for this case? TIA!

There's some documents in this old post.
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*

 

[Niner]

There's some documents in this old post.
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*

Thanks LR1! Looks like no new documents on there. Darn... but I did bookmark it.

 

[LR1]

Thanks LR1! Looks like no new documents on there. Darn... but I did bookmark it.

YW, Thanks for keeping the thread updated.

 

[Niner]

Friday, April 16th:
*Hearing (Jefferson Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) - *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (8/10/18) & arraigned (2/26/21) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. “Might” have plead not guilty. $1M bond.
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 1/11/21 reference post #274 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
2/26/21 Update: No info on hearing-probably plead not guilty. Next hearing on 4/16/21 & 6/18/21 & motions hearings on 9/14 & 9/15/21.
CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 61) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 2 counts of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon, 2 counts of sexual abuse of child, 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial was set to begin on 4/19/21 continued to 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial to start on 7/26/21 thru 8/27/21 (will last 5 weeks).
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 2/23/21 reference post #274 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
2/24/21 Update: Judge Michelle Amico & attorneys concluded they could not go before a jury in April as had been planned. The stumbling block to moving ahead with the trial sooner is that more than three dozen motions are still pending – 36 filed by defense attorneys, five by prosecutors. All day Tuesday was taken up with testimony from witnesses on issues relating to only a handful of the unresolved motions. The judge has also indicated that some of the motions are going to require legal careful analysis & that will take time. The defense is seeking a number of concessions – including the dismissal of all charges or other sanctions, and a change of venue. The effort to have charges dismissed – or other sanctions issued – center on the assertion by police & prosecutors over the past two decades that the killer sexually assaulted Vanessa Bennett. Defense attorneys also assert that extensive news reporting on the case over the years should lead the judge to move the trial to another jurisdiction. But the trial can’t go forward until all pending motions are argued & ruled on. Judge Amico scheduled the beginning of jury selection for July 23, with the trial itself slated to begin July 26. The court blocked out five weeks on its calendar. Trial continuance-granted. Next motions hearing on 4/22/21.

 

[Niner]

Date Len Appearance Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
6/18/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CTRM 5C

9/14/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CTRM 5C

9/15/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D302018CR3105 Jefferson County CTRM 5C

link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search


and on the Arapahoe County site it no longer shows the motions hearing on 4/22 just the trial date to start 7/23. I'll keep an eye on this one.

 

[Niner]

Motions hearing on 4/22/21 was moved to 5/26/21.

Date Len Appearance Name Hearing Type Case # Location Division
5/26/21
9:00 AM 1Hr IN PERSON EWING, ALEX Motions Hearing D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

7/23/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

7/26/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

Thru...
8/27/21
8:30 AM 1D EWING, ALEX Jury Trial D32002CR1623 Arapahoe County Div. 201

link: Seventh Judicial District » Docket Search