Latest news with #Fox31
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Colo. DA 'will be recalled' in case of trans sex offender accused of trying to kidnap boy
A Democratic prosecutor in Colorado 'will be recalled'' for moving to dismiss charges against a transgender sex offender accused of trying to kidnap a boy from a schoolyard, a local pol told The Post on Monday. The district attorney's office in Colorado's 18th Judicial District told Fox31 that it is planning to drop the raps against Solomon Galligan, 33, after he allegedly attempted to snatch the 11-year-old during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora in April 2024. 3 Suspected wannabe child-snatcher Solomon Galligan looks eerie in his mugshot. Aurora police department Advertisement Galligan underwent a competency evaluation after his arrest and was found 'mentally incompetent,' the DA's office said. 3 Arapahoe County District Attorney Amy Padden is moving to dismiss charges against the alleged kidnapper. Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District Prosecutors said they're now 'planning to drop charges against the defendant, which is required by law when they are found mentally incompetent to stand trial.' Advertisement But Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky disputed that stance and told The Post an 'effort' to 'recall' Democratic DA Amy Padden 'is well under way and will begin this week' — and ensured that it will be successful. 'The conduct of the 18th DA over the past six months is beyond deplorable. This is simply the icing on the cake,' said Jurinsky, a Republican. 'The progressive attitude will not be tolerated,' she said. 'While certain state laws highlight deeper issues in the state of Colorado, Amy Padden will be recalled for her part in not upholding the laws and punishing criminals.' 3 Security footage of the kidnapping attempt outside an elementary school shows children running from the criminal. KDVR Advertisement The suspected sex fiend's older sister, Sarah Galligan, even told 9News in April 2024 that her brother has been in and out of jail for 12 years and that it's not safe for community or himself to be out on the streets. She said her sibling, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder when he was 16, was deemed unfit to stand trial in previous instances and wasn't institutionalized because of a shortage of beds in mental-health centers. 'It just really sucks he had to do something so eye-catching for everybody to see he's not well, and he's not OK to be out and be on his own,' she said at the time. Amanda Morris, Solomon's niece, added, 'This has been like the fourth time that we're sitting here thinking, 'How the hell did he get released? Who's letting him out?' ' Advertisement Solomon Galligan shared the news of his gender transition in a 2011 Facebook post and later identified as a woman. That same year he was placed on the sex-offender registry after he was convicted of non-consent sexual contact. 'So im starting my hormone shots and i relly cant wait im on my hormone pills ive been on them for almost 4 months i wake up all depressed and crying but in the end its gonna be totally worth it you know what io mean im really excited my measurements are already changing and im super thrilled,' he wrote at the time. During his latest alleged crime, Galligan was captured on surveillance video approaching students playing in a field just moments before they scattered and screamed, 'Stranger danger!' Galligan allegedly grabbed one of the youngsters but lost his grip when he tripped on a white blanket he was carrying, according to a police report. The young child later told cops that Galligan had white powder smeared on his face and reeked of alcohol. Galligan fled the scene but was located by cops at a nearby Walgreens. The DA's office told The Post in a statement, 'We have not yet filed the formal motion to Dismiss. Advertisement 'We have until the end of the month to do so. The defendant is being civilly committed into mental health treatment. However, we are legally prohibited from discussing the details surrounding his competency beyond saying that he's been found mentally incompetent to proceed. 'When a defendant is found incompetent to proceed, we are legally obligated to dismiss charges. Our hands are tied based on the findings of competency. However, they are not being released to the public.'
American Military News
22-05-2025
- American Military News
Homeowner shoots intruder; intruder hospitalized with life-threatening injuries
A burglary suspect was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after intruding into a garage in Aurora, Colorado, and being shot by the homeowner on Monday. According to 9 News, the intruder was shot by a homeowner after he was caught breaking into the homeowner's detached garage at roughly 4:49 a.m. on Monday in the 1200 block of Moline Street in Aurora, Colorado. Aurora Police Department officials noted that the burglary suspect was transported to the hospital following the shooting and remained in the hospital with life-threatening injuries as of Monday night. Following an interview with the unidentified homeowner on Monday morning, the Aurora Police Department released the homeowner and indicated that law enforcement officials do not expect any charges to be filed against the homeowner, according to News 9. However, in a statement obtained by Fox 31, the Aurora Police Department said, 'Detectives continue to investigate and will present their findings to the district attorney's office upon completion. This is standard practice.' READ MORE: Burglar arrested after being captured by homeowner According to News 9, the homeowner reported another break-in on Saturday and claimed that $400 worth of goods were stolen in the intrusion. The homeowner told police officials that following Saturday's incident, he purchased and installed security cameras in his garage, which notified him regarding Monday's break-in attempt. News 9 reported that the homeowner told police officials that after noticing the intrusion on the security cameras, he confronted the burglary suspect in the garage, leading to an altercation with the intruder. The homeowner told police officials that he shot the intruder during the altercation. Fox 31 reported that while Colorado residents are legally permitted to use deadly force against intruders inside their homes under the Colorado Make My Day law, Christopher Decker, a criminal defense attorney, told the outlet that the Colorado Make My Day law does not apply to Monday's shooting since the homeowner did not shoot the burglary suspect inside the home. 'You can't just shoot,' Decker told Fox 31. 'You have to act reasonably, and in order to use deadly force, you have to be in fear of serious, imminent bodily injury.' However, the criminal defense attorney noted that self-defense laws are applicable to the case.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado group files ballot initiative over state immigration law
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado's immigration laws are in the spotlight. Critics call Colorado a 'sanctuary state,' which the governor denied, but some say state laws are standing in the way of deporting people accused of violent crimes. Some folks are calling on Colorado leaders to remove state immigration laws, saying they will let voters decide if lawmakers do not act. State lawmakers talk immigration as congressional members ask Polis to change state law 'There are these sanctuary policies that were passed in 2019, 2021, and 2023 that make it hard for local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities. And I'm not holding my breath that the legislature is going to do anything about that but I think they should,' Michael Fields, Fox31 Political Analyst. Fields is also the president of Advance Colorado. The conservative think tank filed a ballot initiative this Colorado voters approve it, the proposed measure would require state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal requests to notify the Department of Homeland Security prior to release and detain inmates if the inmate is charged with a crime of violence or the inmate has been convicted of a prior felony. 'People care about these issues that we delve in on, whether that's TABOR refunds, whether it's helping law enforcement, rather it's putting violent criminals in jail: there is a long list of things but it's all the things the legislature won't do that people want. That's where the conflict kind of happens and where a group like ours can come in and say look if you're not actually going to fix this, if you're not going to make it mandatory, if you're not going to be clear on what the law is, we'll go and put this in front of voters,' Fields said. Three Republican members of Congress from Colorado recently asked the governor to repeal three state laws that limit local law enforcement's engagement with federal Jared Polis has maintained Colorado is not a sanctuary state. Reports: ICE raids planned for Thursday in Aurora delayed, but not canceled 'We work closely, the state, with all federal agencies so our state with all federal agencies so our state department of public safety, our state troopers work closely with FBI, ICE, DEA. I have not been made aware of any impediments that prevent that kind of collaboration to keep Coloradans safer. At the same time, we of course want to make sure that the federal government is not able to co-opt local enforcement,' Governor Polis said when asked about the proposal at press conference Monday. A spokesperson for his office told FOX31: 'Governor Polis will review measures that make the ballot closer to any election. Governor Polis has been clear that Colorado will work with federal law enforcement agencies in apprehending dangerous criminals to make Colorado safer. Colorado is not a sanctuary state. When it comes to criminal investigations or prosecutions, local law enforcement should be working with federal partners, in accordance with state and federal law, to fight crime and respond when asked.' Governor's Office spokesperson With immigration a hot topic for voters this past November, would Colorado voters vote yes on this proposal? FOX31 Political Analyst Andy Boian does not think so. 'The majority of voters that are going to vote on something like this are those that participate in non-presidential years, so the turnout is lower. These are going to be people that are educated voters who understand this and won't go for it,' Boian said. 'Colorado is a blue state, they are not going to for this: something that feels and looks like something from the Republican administration, it looks like they are going to round up folks and kick them out and I just don't think that's going to happen in Colorado. 'I think the legislature won't act and I think that voters will turn it down,' Boian added. 'This whole initiative and Congress coming to the governor is really showboating, in my opinion. Really it doesn't have a whole lot to do with what actually has to happen which is: what are already doing; which is cooperating with federal authorities. When we have criminals in our areas that need to be deported, that's what we are doing — we're acting on that.' A new nationwide Emerson poll found only 16% of voters rank immigration as their top issue. If this ballot initiative makes its way through the process, it will be on the 2026 Colorado ballot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
