GUILTY CO - Gannon Stauch, 11, found deceased, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, 27 Jan 2020 *Arrest* #70

[arielilane]

DENVER (KDVR) — Oral arguments in an appeal for Letecia Stauch, the El Paso County stepmother convicted of killing her stepson Gannon, unfolded before three judges Tuesday morning.

https://kdvr.com/news/local/attorney-argues-letecia-stauchs-conviction-should-be-reversed-in-colorado-court-of-appeals/

1/27/2026

The appeals judges ended the hearing on Tuesday, stating that an opinion will be issued in “due course.”

 

[Cindizzi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2016300152819249431

 

[Seattle1]

MSN

1/27/26

Letecia was not present in person at the Colorado Court of Appeals. Eric Samler, an attorney representing her, argued that her case should be reversed because of a juror on her trial and who that juror was related to.

In the 15 minutes allotted to each side for oral arguments on Tuesday, Samler told the appeals judges that a juror connected to Letecia’s trial had a son-in-law who worked for District Attorney Michael Allen’s office. Allen was the lead prosecutor in the case. Samler argued that Letecia’s defense team challenged the jurors’ family ties during the jury selection process. Despite the challenge, Samler told the appeals court that the trial judge did not get rid of the juror. In a court briefing, Samler argued, “This is structural error requiring reversal of the convictions.”

 

[Seattle1]

Letecia Stauch appeal case, oral arguments focus on juror concerns

DENVER — The woman found guilty of killing her stepson in 2020 is trying to appeal her conviction, and the latest step in the process came Tuesday with oral arguments presented in front of Colorado Court of Appeals judges. Letecia Stauch, 42, was convicted in May 2023 of stabbing her stepson...

gazette.com

 

[Seattle1]

https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2025-12/COA%20Docket%20January%202026.pdf

Division VII
PAWAR JOHNSON GOMEZ
Lawclerk Pawar
Court of Appeals Courtroom 3rd Floor

Date: January 27, 2026

Time/ Short Case/ Case Caption

9:00 AM/ 2023CA1067/ Peo v Stauch, L

Court of Appeals | Colorado Judicial Branch

www.coloradojudicial.gov

*The oral argument (heard 1/27/26) has not populated the archives yet.

 

[musicaljoke]

MSN

1/27/26

Letecia was not present in person at the Colorado Court of Appeals. Eric Samler, an attorney representing her, argued that her case should be reversed because of a juror on her trial and who that juror was related to.

In the 15 minutes allotted to each side for oral arguments on Tuesday, Samler told the appeals judges that a juror connected to Letecia’s trial had a son-in-law who worked for District Attorney Michael Allen’s office. Allen was the lead prosecutor in the case. Samler argued that Letecia’s defense team challenged the jurors’ family ties during the jury selection process. Despite the challenge, Samler told the appeals court that the trial judge did not get rid of the juror. In a court briefing, Samler argued, “This is structural error requiring reversal of the convictions.”

Yikes. That seems significant to me.

 

[Inthedetails]

Yikes. That seems significant to me.

We need to know in what capacity the son-in-law worked and how big the office is.

Since the juror was questioned at the time, I would assume the SIL connection was not one that would interfere with the juror being fair. I hope.

jmo

 

[musicaljoke]

We need to know in what capacity the son-in-law worked and how big the office is.

Since the juror was questioned at the time, I would assume the SIL connection was not one that would interfere with the juror being fair. I hope.

jmo

I hope you are right, but it looks very awful to me. If the juror's s-i-l was actually employed by the DA's office, that's a big problem. If he was just walking through the office when delivering parcels while working for another employer, then that's not an issue.

What a shame that this juror wasn't removed from the pool before the trial began.

 

[Niner]

Okay - to keep my notes straight & shortened this up a bit - I shall post it now.

Tuesday, January 27th:
*Appeal Hearing (@ am MT) – CO – Gannon Jacob Stauch (11) (reported missing Jan. 27, 2020, Colorado Springs; found in a suitcase along the Escambia River Bridge (on US90) on Mar. 17, 2020 in Pace, FL., Santa Rosa County; ID’d on June 6, 2020) – *Letecia Lynn (or Leann) Stauch (36/now 42) akas Letecia “Tecia” Lynn Hardin (maiden name) & Letecia Lynn Hunt (1st married name), Tiffany Taylor Stauch & Taylor Swift arrested (in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on 3/2/20) & advised of charges (3/5/20) & charged (3/11/20 & re-filed 3/20/20) & arraigned (11/4/21) with 2 counts of 1st degree felony murder (after intent & deliberation), 2nd degree felony child abuse resulting in death (this count dismissed on 4/3/23), 3rd degree felony tampering with deceased human body, 6th degree felony tampering with physical evidence & 8 counts of crime of violence (special enhancer: firearm, blunt instrument, knife or sharp instrument & causing the death of Gannon). Held without bond. Plead not guilty. On 2/11/22 changed plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. (for original charges (3/5/20) see post 362 page 19 of thread #54). El Paso County
*Charged (filed 5/20/20) & charged (6/5/20) with solicitation to commit escape. $2K bond. Plead not guilty. El Paso County
Stauch faces a second case in which she is accused of attempting to escape from the El Paso County jail in May 2020. The second case against Stauch is on hold until the completion of the 1st degree murder trial.
Trial began on 3/20/23 with jury selection & ended on 4/3/23 for final jury selection with 11 men & 7 women. 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 4/17/23: Juror 12 dismissed. 11 men & 6 women. Jury: 7 men & 5 women; alternates: 4 men & 1 woman. 12 jurors & 5 alternates. Jury started deliberations (5/5/23) ~1pm to ~5pm. Total Deliberations: ~4 hours. 5/8/23: ~9am to ~ 1pm; ~4 hours. Total Deliberations: ~8 hours.
Trial began on 4/3/23 with opening statements. Prosecution rested their case on 5/2/23. Defense started their case on 5/2/23 & rested their case on 5/4/23. Closing arguments & jury started deliberations on 5/5/23.
Trial will be from 9am to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday each week.
No Trial on Thursdays as Judge has other commitments.
No trial on 5/12/23.
Case & court info from 3/2/20 to 3/20/23 & Jury Selection Day 1-7 (3/20-4/3/23) & Trial Day 1-20 (4/3-5/5/23) & Jury deliberations Day 1 (5/5/23) reference post #578 here:
[URL='https://www.websleuths.com/fo...nty-27-jan-2020-arrest-66.676407/page-24[/url]
5/8/23 Monday, Trial Day 21/Jury Deliberations Day 2: Verdict Reached!
The jury had 2 questions. 1) Can we have an index list of all exhibits.
They have two lists, one of all exhibits, one of admitted exhibits.
2) Can we have both a preliminary & final report from Dr. Lewis.
Judge's proposed response is expert reports are not introduce as evidence in a trial. Allen said they were not admitted as evidence.
Jury started deliberations at ~9am & reached a verdict at ~1pm.
Murder-1st degree - after deliberation - Guilty
Murder-1st degree - child under 12 position of trust - Guilty
Tampering w/ a deceased human body - Guilty
Tampering w/ physical evidence - Guilty
Impact statements by Nicole Mobley, former neighbor of Stauch & community member who helped coordinate searches & other things. Gannon's great uncle Jeff Davenport, Gannon's great aunt Veronica Birkenstock. Bob Rogers, Gannon's Grandfather. Debra Pierce, Gannon's grandmother. Landon Hiott Bullard, Gannon's mother. Al Stauch, Gannon's father. Al asked the judge that Letecia Stauch be stripped of his last name, saying it has been “infuriating” to hear her referred to as “Ms. Stauch.” DA Michael Allen & asked Judge Werner to dismiss the outstanding escape charge case against the Murderer in order to get her sentenced & serving time ASAP.
Letecia is not going to make a statement, on the advice of counsel, according to Tolini. Defense attorney Tolini is requesting LS be sentenced to Women's DOC located in Pueblo & Judge refused to make a recommendation -- this is the determination by DOC & not the Court.
Judge Werner sentenced her to life in prison with no parole plus 13.5 years. (LWOP for both murder charges, 12 years +3 years parole for tampering with deceased human body consecutive with counts 1 & 2 & 18 months tampering physical evidence consecutive). Stauch remanded to the custody of the Colorado Dept. of Corrections. Case is dismissed.
for more info see posts #676 & 680 [pg 34] & 681 to 698 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ia-maps-timeline-no-discussion.500902/page-35
5/11/23 Update: Stauch with offender number A0342156 was transferred from El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The transfer took place on 5/11/23. The offender is now in the custody of another facility. Transferred to Denver Women's Correctional Facility DOC women's reception. Discharge date: 01/25/9999.
5/8/23: Jury instructions filed. 5/9/23: Jury verdict forms, Judgment of conviction filed. 5/15/23: Letter to the Court (Judge).
8/21/23 Update: Colorado Dept of Corrections: Stauch has been moved to an out-of-state correctional facility & is currently in Kansas.
8/14/24 Update: A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by Letecia Stauch, who challenged the conditions of her confinement in the El Paso County jail prior to being convicted of murder last year in a high-profile criminal trial. The defendants moved to dismiss, but Stauch repeatedly failed to respond to court orders or filings. In a series of letters, she informed the court her address changed multiple times and, as of August, she had transferred to a Kansas facility. She elaborated that prison officials there were "interfering with legal mail" & Stauch was litigating that issue before a Kansas judge. In an Aug. 8 order, U.S. District Court Judge S. Kato Crews decided to dismiss Stauch's lawsuit due to her failure to prosecute. Crews cited Stauch's pattern of non-response & non-compliance with the procedural rules.
1/27/26 Update: An appeal for Stauch was argued before three judges [Pawar, Johnson & Gomez] today, 1/27/26. Stauch was not present in person at the Colorado Court of Appeals. Eric Samler, an attorney representing her, argued that her case should be reversed because of a juror on her trial and who that juror was related to. In the 15 minutes allotted to each side for oral arguments on Tuesday, Samler told the appeals judges that a juror connected to Letecia’s trial had a son-in-law who worked for DA Michael Allen’s office. Allen was the lead prosecutor in the case. Samler argued that Letecia’s defense team challenged the jurors’ family ties during the jury selection process. Despite the challenge, Samler told the appeals court that the trial judge did not get rid of the juror. In a court briefing, Samler argued, “This is structural error requiring reversal of the convictions.” The appeals judges ended the hearing on Tuesday, stating that an opinion will be issued in “due course.”