Found Deceased CO - Gannon Stauch, 11, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, 27 Jan 2020 **ARREST** #43

[Aloe]

The jury isn't going to be reading offbeat theories on Websleuths. The defense attorneys have to choose a particular path for their client, they cannot tell the jury that Gannon ran away, that LS was raped and the rapist kidnapped Gannon, that there were 2 rapists, one of which lay down in the street, etc In fact, they cannot give evidence that someone else did this crime unless the judge says they can. I believe CO makes it so that the defendant must, at the preliminary hearing, introduce any facts to persuade the judge that they've got the wrong person.

That's not going to happen. This case will not be tried on Websleuths. And we on Websleuths are not permitted to discuss all of the (major) evidence in this case. The only problem is that there's so much evidence.

But I'm curious. Since a defense team cannot just throw spaghetti at the prosecution and hope it sticks - what defense do you think would convince even one juror? Truly curious.

Not a single theory posted here has convinced me (or most people) of "reasonable doubt." The definition of "reasonable" is not up to us, either. Judges give instructions regarding what it means. Then, juries come to group terms with what it means.

So while you may have found reasonable doubt somewhere in this case (prior to ever hearing the evidence, simply going on WS take on the evidence), a jury will be very very different.

First of all, they will all be from that county, where the crime occurred. They will be told to use a "reasonable person standard" based on what people in that area consider reasonable.

Is there any doubt that Gannon is dead? No. Is there any doubt that he was murdered? No. Is there any doubt that Letecia H. Stauch organized a caravan and drove to Florida? No. Is there any doubt that his body was found in a suitcase in Florida? No. Is there any doubt the suitcase came from the Stauch home? No. Is there any doubt that there was Gannon's blood on Letecia H. Stauch's trainer? No. Is there any doubt that there was blood in her Tiguan? No. Is there any doubt that she twice went to the place where a bloody particle board, used to transport Gannon's body and containing his blood, was found? No.

What else do you think a jury would need? What reasonable person would doubt that LS did this? Even without coming up with an alternate theory of who else could have done this, could a reasonable person doubt it was Letecia H. Stauch?

No.

And that's without the many phone calls, lies, texts, procurement of cleaning supplies, attempts to clean Gannon's room, fake polygraph test and much else.

She's dead to rights.

Thank you.

I should have been more clear in the post. As I explained in a later post, I was referring to the video posted by neighbor RD, and not an off beat theory. The video was highly discussed and debated on WS and it convinced many that Gannon left alive in the morning and didn't return in the afternoon.

The AA submits that Gannon was murdered in his home, in his bedroom, on the same day, which could not have happened if he left alive and didn't return.

I thought that the DA would have to prove LE's theory, based on evidence, about where and when the murder took place, but posters have since opined that is not the case and that any doubt raised by the video would not be of issue.

 

[Hatfield]

Can you think of a reason why they didn’t check the airport lots? That was the only one I could come up with if the car was, in fact, left there.

Sorry I didnt reply sooner but just getting back to be able to see your message.

I am perplexed why LE did not find her car while it was in Short Term parking at the airport. It seems that would have been a logical first place to look.

I am sure there are tons of cars in those lots and LE did mention in item 59 in the AA that they only did "limited searching" so maybe they had more pressing investigation to do with LS herself that maybe took them away from looking for her vehicle.

Your guess is also a possibility that with all of LS juggling of vehicles , maybe she somehow did not have it there until right before she returned the rental.

Its just frustrating to think that if they could have just found that car while it was in short term parking then they may have found Gannon in that vehicle or at least could have impounded it before she was able to clean it further.

 

[10ofRods]

Throwing out some IMO conjecture.

10ofRods, that list could also be true if another person living in the house harmed Gannon, and LS went into her frantic cleanup and coverup mode, just not for herself.

MassGuy, it does work if Gannon was gravely wounded on Sunday evening, and never returned to the house with LS on Monday afternoon. (I’ve even wondered if the photo of “Gannon asleep on the bed” was “ Gannon dead on the bed.” But I’m assuming that AA 31 is true, and Gannon left with LS. As I’ve said before, I cannot tell much of anything from the video. AA 32 states the detective cannot be sure another person exited the vehicle when LS returned to the house—so maybe Gannon did not come back from the outing. AA 44 does say that after LS returns to the house on Monday afternoon, there is motion activity both upstairs and downstairs during a 25 minute period, but it does not say the motion was simultaneous. So I question whether Gannon came back.)

If Gannon returned to the house, then the case is a slam dunk.

And probably is no matter what, as I think after they left the house, if Gannon did not die from whatever happened Sunday night, he was either given an overdose of something by LS, or LS took him somewhere and shot and/or stabbed him. Left him hidden until she felt she had to move him.

Blood on the Tiguan may have been from loading bloody bedding, etc., into the car on that Monday. From the AA, I think the blood samples from stains at the house were taken on Tuesday and Wednesday. LS was interviewed on Wednesday AA 67, and the Tiguan seized at that time, AA 68.

IMO at this time. Because LS is making me crazy, too.

I still think it's possible she tried to kill him with a chemical or poison (Epsom salts is my theory, definitely fatal in large enough doses, but kids are strong). I ponder how the plan would have gone down then. They were shopping in northern CoS and he "ran away." I wonder where is bike is. It didn't appear to be in the garage and in one of her stories, LS has Gannon riding his bike in northern Colorado Springs (I think). Or maybe it's the mysterious bike they were trying to buy for Albert? Anyway, where is Gannon's bike? Did she toss it somewhere to try and show they were biking and he ran off or got lost?

Was that the plan, initially? He dies in the truck and she dumps him somewhere and his bike along a road (making it look like a possible kidnapping). What will she say about why she let a sick kid go biking?

If not the plan, what the heck was the plan? Anyway, it sounds like she had several stories she was using simultaneously, as she went along.

So he doesn't die, which makes her mad. I don't think he walks out of that car right when they arrive. I see "shadows" throughout this highly pixelated, recorded-on-a-phone, non-HD capture of RD's security footage, but I don't see a shadow consistent with a walking person of any size, small or large, on the far side of the truck. However, I think Gannon was probably laying down in the back seat, semi-conscious. Perhaps he was even in the back of the truck (would make more sense for LS to do that, in order to get the now unconscious Gannon into the house without being seen, down to his bed, where she still wants to pretend he just got sick and died, but time is running out).

Once Laina and HH see Gannon's condition, and Albert tries to make his daily phone calls/contact with Gannon (and Laina), he's going to be really pissed that with such a very sick kid, LS didn't take him to the doctor. She wants to say she called the health service and was given the okay to give Gannon a laxative (Epsom). Then he died.

All of this goes out the window at some point and she either shoots him or bludgeons him. She was, by then, enraged by the fact that he didn't die as she planned. She may even have said things like "I'm going to kill you, you little &^%^" and he may well have known what was causing his symptoms - but LS has his phone and won't give it to him. She was going to be in jail anyway.

This of course makes no rational sense, but it can't, because she's irrational. "You little #%$%, because of you I'm going to lose EVERYTHING including my freedom, so take this!"

People can be like that. It's not an uncommon route to murder. LS, at 36, was not where she planned to be and she totally lost it.

 

[NCWatcher]

I think all the charges reflect injuries inflicted at the time of the murder, before she put the body in the suitcase. I haven't seen any evidence that suggests she shot at or stabbed the suitcase.

I think it's more likely that she pulled over and dumped it as fast as she could so she wouldn't be seen.

Imo

I agree 100%. They are sentence enhancers for the charge of murder, not for the charge of tampering with a dead body. At least that seems to be the way the charging document reads.
JMO

 

[10ofRods]

Would be hilarious if they finally tracked down one Eguardo in North America - and he was no where near Colorado Springs at the time.

She did have Gannon's blood on one of her sneakers, but she didn't think to get rid of them!

Was going to clean them up and sell on Poshmark (as I'm sure they were some posh style), after everyone apologized to her.

 

[MsBetsy]

Gray starts naming off her Google searches but gets all the times wrong. Her Google searches she did in the wee hours of the night beginning at 12:09 AM he lists as being at 12:09 PM, while she was driving around in the truck. He even claims the searches must have been done on Gannon's phone, when the AA clearly states they were from Letecia's phone. I find him hard to listen to, but then when he gets the info wrong it really seals the deal for me. I always end up feeling it was a waste of time.

Yeah, he got the times wrong on a lot of those searches. He also kept saying she returned the Kia on the 28th at 7:02 and it wasn't returned until the next day at 9:00. That's why she was so late to her appointment with LE. She had to drop off the rental, get her SUV, and wash it before she showed up at the police station.

He really should write notes or something to prepare instead of trying to figure it all out as he goes along.

But I think in general most of what he said about her actions surrounding the murder were accurate. It was helpful to see the map of where she parked the car at the airport, where it was when she had the Kia, and the route she took when she dumped the body and then later went back to get it.

He also brought up a good point about how LE was able to put a tracker on her car but wondered why the information from it didn't lead them to the area she put the body until about two weeks later.

I think he was also right when he called her an idiot.

Imo

 

[MsBetsy]

@Geneic I was referring to reasonable doubt in “why” she was cleaning. An OCD clean freak or a freak scrubbing away evidence. MOW
No doubt in my mind LS will have hot britches soon!

Well, if she was obsessive about cleaning in general, wouldn't she already have tons of cleaning supplies around?

I wouldn't know because I'm not obsessive about cleaning, but I usually have more than enough if I need to clean up a big mess. (Although I've never had to clean up after a murder.)

Imo

 

[10ofRods]

Thank you.

I should have been more clear in the post. As I explained in a later post, I was referring to the video posted by neighbor RD, and not an off beat theory. The video was highly discussed and debated on WS and it convinced many that Gannon left alive in the morning and didn't return in the afternoon.

The AA submits that Gannon was murdered in his home, in his bedroom, on the same day, which could not have happened if he left alive and didn't return.

I thought that the DA would have to prove LE's theory, based on evidence, about where and when the murder took place, but posters have since opined that is not the case and that any doubt raised by the video would not be of issue.

I totally get you now.

I worked in a plaintiff's law firm (civil not criminal) for 20 years and have done consulting in criminal cases since then. I was so confused by how each system worked, for so long (and I did a year of law school before deciding I couldn't do both that and anthropology).

In some sense, the DA can't stray too far from LE's initial theories, because the defense will exploit that as far as possible. In modern America, there's been a huge trend for defendant's to get off scott free if their defense can make one juror think that "They only looked at one scenario, they only looked at Letecia, they made her a suspect right away."

So LE carefully picked its way through a minefield of evidence (and remember, they can't put in things like "we know for sure that Laina didn't do it" they can only say "8 year old Laina was outside on her bike," and the Judge is supposed to think like a reasonable person. In most US states, all a DA needs to arrest someone on first degree murder is "probable cause." LE provides that; DA has its own investigators who advise; they think through the legal part and then the judge decides. Everyone understands that this is just the first pass through - that's why the next hearing is still "preliminary."

At the preliminary, the Judge will decide in very general terms what will be allowed as evidence, and each side will state their basic cases and their evidence. At that point, it's a very grave matter if anyone later changes their mind. Each side can always come up with more and better evidence for their side, at any point in the trial. But, for example, the defense can't just walk in the day before closing arguments with a new witness who is now going to admit they killed Gannon.

If the defense tried such a thing, there would have to be a series of procedures to admit that into evidence and the jury would not be in the room. Similarly, the prosecution can't just wait until trial and spring a video on the defense that actually shows Letecia Stauch murdering Gannon.

First and foremost, each side must now present ALL of its evidence (anything it has and intends to use) to the other side or forever hold their peace (they actually have a few months to do this, it's not literally up to the day of the preliminary). But once the jury is selected, anything new has to go through a formal process.

DA's have been known to screw this up royally (and the Casey Anthony case has some of that on the edges, IMO although I don't know that case as well as some others - the Manson case comes to my mind, but the DA recovered and all was well in the end - Manson was convicted).

I too wonder why the AA doesn't have better evidence mentioned about how Gannon got back into the house. They don't mention RD's videos at all. Or RD. It really bugs me a lot. If the video we've all seen is all they have to prove he was killed in that short window that afternoon, it's weird.

I still believe that was Gannon getting into the truck - but the DA's office could investigate and find otherwise (just a far-out example of what could happen).

 

[squareandrabbet]

They do have behavioral scientists on witness list. The motive imo is directly tied to NPD.

Everybody worries about the reasons criminals do why they do ("criminal psychology"); which is part and parcel of figuring out how to flag them in the future by early detection. Don't even worry about any questions to the contrary.

Can you think of a reason why they didn’t check the airport lots? That was the only one I could come up with if the car was, in fact, left there.

Because she said "it's out by French Elementary. guys", IIRC. TS's mislead, and only TS's mislead. IMO.

 

[Aloe]

I totally get you now.

I worked in a plaintiff's law firm (civil not criminal) for 20 years and have done consulting in criminal cases since then. I was so confused by how each system worked, for so long (and I did a year of law school before deciding I couldn't do both that and anthropology).

In some sense, the DA can't stray too far from LE's initial theories, because the defense will exploit that as far as possible. In modern America, there's been a huge trend for defendant's to get off scott free if their defense can make one juror think that "They only looked at one scenario, they only looked at Letecia, they made her a suspect right away."

So LE carefully picked its way through a minefield of evidence (and remember, they can't put in things like "we know for sure that Laina didn't do it" they can only say "8 year old Laina was outside on her bike," and the Judge is supposed to think like a reasonable person. In most US states, all a DA needs to arrest someone on first degree murder is "probable cause." LE provides that; DA has its own investigators who advise; they think through the legal part and then the judge decides. Everyone understands that this is just the first pass through - that's why the next hearing is still "preliminary."

At the preliminary, the Judge will decide in very general terms what will be allowed as evidence, and each side will state their basic cases and their evidence. At that point, it's a very grave matter if anyone later changes their mind. Each side can always come up with more and better evidence for their side, at any point in the trial. But, for example, the defense can't just walk in the day before closing arguments with a new witness who is now going to admit they killed Gannon.

If the defense tried such a thing, there would have to be a series of procedures to admit that into evidence and the jury would not be in the room. Similarly, the prosecution can't just wait until trial and spring a video on the defense that actually shows Letecia Stauch murdering Gannon.

First and foremost, each side must now present ALL of its evidence (anything it has and intends to use) to the other side or forever hold their peace (they actually have a few months to do this, it's not literally up to the day of the preliminary). But once the jury is selected, anything new has to go through a formal process.

DA's have been known to screw this up royally (and the Casey Anthony case has some of that on the edges, IMO although I don't know that case as well as some others - the Manson case comes to my mind, but the DA recovered and all was well in the end - Manson was convicted).

I too wonder why the AA doesn't have better evidence mentioned about how Gannon got back into the house. They don't mention RD's videos at all. Or RD. It really bugs me a lot. If the video we've all seen is all they have to prove he was killed in that short window that afternoon, it's weird.

I still believe that was Gannon getting into the truck - but the DA's office could investigate and find otherwise (just a far-out example of what could happen).

Edit to include the AA info.

The AA does mention the video, concludes that it is too unclear, page 5, 31 &32 That AA is a really tedious read, for me, at least.

So, if she killed Gannon out away from home, which is not what LE submits in the AA, then the blood evidence found in the home, in his bedroom, would be from the alleged incident that occurred the night before or a combination that with prior incidences to include, cuts, scrapes and bloody noses? I've been thinking of all the ways liquids can become airborne (the splatter).

 

[MassGuy]

Gannon Stauch: Stepmom accused of killing Colorado boy could possibly get bond, maintains that she’s innocent

She “could possibly get bond,” like I could possibly win the Mega Millions jackpot twice in a row.

 

[MemPat]

The only case I am comfortable referencing is Dan Markel, the Florida law professor that was shot sitting in his car in his garage.

He was shot twice in the head at an estimated distance of 6 - 30 inches away. Once in the forward, once in cheek. One bullet was likely slowed from the glass of driver side window.

I believe it was a .38 caliber revolver.

Both bullets were retrieved at Autopsy.

Somewhere in the AA it references a possible missing pillow. GS likely shot with pillow covering head?

Interesting facts of Markel case: Miraculously Dan did not die instantly, he was incubated but eventually pulled off life support. LS going in and out of the house, waiting for Gannon to die?

We don't know what caused the wall spatter (my guess is a bat) but I'm thinking a pillow used as a gun silencer would have prevented that from happening.

 

[DTPeke]

Gannon Stauch: Stepmom accused of killing Colorado boy could possibly get bond, maintains that she’s innocent

She “could possibly get bond,” like I could possibly win the Mega Millions jackpot twice in a row.

Why am I not surprised she is talking to CrimeOnline from jail!!! Fat chance of bond!! Keep dreaming....

She really can't keep that pie hole closed.

We need Leigh Egan back on Websleuths!

(CrimeOnline spoke to Stauch from the El Paso County jail on Wednesday; she indicated that the case was moving slower due to court delays over coronavirus concerns.

Stauch told CrimeOnline on Wednesday that she maintains her innocence. Although she declined to discuss the details of the case, she said she is currently working with an attorney for her defense.

“It’s 90% speculation,” Stauch said, referring to the affidavit.)

 

[MemPat]

She did have Gannon's blood on one of her sneakers, but she didn't think to get rid of them!

That woman has been so busy having sex with strangers she hasn't watched enough Forensics Files to know the shoes should be long gone before the police show up!

 

[Lori Cooper]

Why am I not surprised she is talking to CrimeOnline from jail!!! Fat chance of bond!! Keep dreaming....

She really can't keep that pie hole closed.

We need Leigh Egan back on Websleuths!

(CrimeOnline spoke to Stauch from the El Paso County jail on Wednesday; she indicated that the case was moving slower due to court delays over coronavirus concerns.

Stauch told CrimeOnline on Wednesday that she maintains her innocence. Although she declined to discuss the details of the case, she said she is currently working with an attorney for her defense.

“It’s 90% speculation,” Stauch said, referring to the affidavit.)

Yes, that last quote from her had me actually laughing. You go right ahead and convince yourself, LS.

 

[girlhasnoname]

My guess is she will do something dramatic in the courtroom. Not sure what, but something.

jmo

ITA, I can see her/her defense pulling a big one too.

 

[girlhasnoname]

Gannon Stauch: Stepmom accused of killing Colorado boy could possibly get bond, maintains that she’s innocent

She “could possibly get bond,” like I could possibly win the Mega Millions jackpot twice in a row.

Hah, the delusion is great in this one.

 

[DTPeke]

We don't know what caused the wall spatter (my guess is a bat) but I'm thinking a pillow used as a gun silencer would have prevented that from happening.

That's true about the pillow. Most likely he was laying on the pillow. Scary thought if blood soaked through pillow onto mattress.

I have this horrible vision of her straddling Gannon and shooting him.

How much blood was on the missing bedding? Pretty drastic step to destroy bedding if you are able to clean it.

Time restraint maybe. She did have time to do the dishes. Destroying to get rid of blood and gun residue. Ugh how much blood was there.

Edited: did not like my wording

 

[DTPeke]

That woman has been so busy having sex with strangers she hasn't watched enough Forensics Files to know the shoes should be long gone before the police show up!

Yes, totally expecting boyfriend/lover to enter stage left any moment now. Along with insurance policy.

There was one witness I thought had the potential.

 

[Rockymtnmermaid]

Sorry I didnt reply sooner but just getting back to be able to see your message.

I am perplexed why LE did not find her car while it was in Short Term parking at the airport. It seems that would have been a logical first place to look.

I am sure there are tons of cars in those lots and LE did mention in item 59 in the AA that they only did "limited searching" so maybe they had more pressing investigation to do with LS herself that maybe took them away from looking for her vehicle.

Your guess is also a possibility that with all of LS juggling of vehicles , maybe she somehow did not have it there until right before she returned the rental.

Its just frustrating to think that if they could have just found that car while it was in short term parking then they may have found Gannon in that vehicle or at least could have impounded it before she was able to clean it further.

I have been asking the same question in my head and to add another interesting piece is that is a relatively small airport and the parking area for both short and long term is not big at all. It is all on 1 level, no garage and it’s no more larger than say a big box store parking lot. It would be easy to find a vehicle in that lot if you were looking. IMO