Bishop Black
Former Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2021
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A Colorado man was convicted of first-degree murder Thursday for using an AK-47 to fatally gun down a woman and wound a man after their dog relieved itself outside of his apartment near Coors Field, the Denver District Attorney announced in a statement.
Close was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder — extreme indifference, two counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree assault, the District Attorney said in the statement.
Close had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in Thallas's death.
During the trial, Close's lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Sonja Prins, argued that his client was criminally insane when he began shooting at the couple, The Denver Post reports.
Recent job losses, a bad breakup and dealing with the pandemic led Close to suffer a mental break when he shot at the couple, Prins argued, according to The Denver Post.
According to the District Attorney's statement, on June 10, 2020, "Thallas and Simon were walking their dog when Close began a verbal exchange with them over a command they used to have their dog defecate."
Unbeknownst to them, Close raced into another room and grabbed an AK-47 registered to a friend who was a Denver police sergeant, which he had allegedly stolen, according to The Denver Post.
Close returned to the window and began shooting, firing more than two dozen times, police said.
Close is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 4 for sentencing.
Close was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder — extreme indifference, two counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree assault, the District Attorney said in the statement.
Close had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in Thallas's death.
During the trial, Close's lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Sonja Prins, argued that his client was criminally insane when he began shooting at the couple, The Denver Post reports.
Recent job losses, a bad breakup and dealing with the pandemic led Close to suffer a mental break when he shot at the couple, Prins argued, according to The Denver Post.
According to the District Attorney's statement, on June 10, 2020, "Thallas and Simon were walking their dog when Close began a verbal exchange with them over a command they used to have their dog defecate."
Unbeknownst to them, Close raced into another room and grabbed an AK-47 registered to a friend who was a Denver police sergeant, which he had allegedly stolen, according to The Denver Post.
Close returned to the window and began shooting, firing more than two dozen times, police said.
Close is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 4 for sentencing.
