‘Habitual offender’ found guilty of multiple charges for 2021 shoot-out with Pueblo police
PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - A man deemed a 'habitual offender' was found guilty Friday of multiple charges for an incident in 2021 during which he shot at, and was shot by Pueblo police officers.
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According to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), 44-year-old James Justice was found guilty of charges including four counts of attempted first-degree murder, four counts of first-degree assault, and four counts of reckless endangerment. He remains in the Pueblo County Jail, where he has been since his arrest.
According to Pueblo police, James Justice exchanged gunfire with officers during an incident in January of 2021. At the time, he was out on bond for assault on a peace officer. During the exchange of gunfire, Justice was hit in the leg and then taken into custody. No officers were injured in the shooting.
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During the two years following his arrest, James Justice's case was at the center of a legal battle between a sitting district judge and the Pueblo County District Attorney. The Colorado Supreme Court would eventually strike down a mediation order issued by Pueblo County District Judge Allison Ernst.
According to the PCSO, James Justice is scheduled to be sentenced for his crimes on September 6, 2024.
