Court Documents: Wife of Auto Zone Murder Suspect Helped Him Hide

The arrest of a Colorado Springs woman is giving us new details about a deadly night just a few weeks ago.

Dawn Morgan, 35, is the common-law wife of Ernest Schmidt, who faces first-degree murder and other charges after a violent night that included a robbery, kidnapping and deadly shooting. Morgan is charged with accessory to commit first-degree murder, a class four felony that could send her to prison if she’s convicted.

Juaquin Panyagua, 39, was killed that night. He was driving the car that Schmidt allegedly stole that prompted the kidnapping. Another man, Donald Laroe, was also shot and sent to the hospital in critical condition. All this happened at an auto parts store. Police said it began as an armed robbery.

According to court documents for Morgan on Monday, she was also at the Auto Zone on July 27. She reportedly gave police a false name when they questioned her, but found a car registered in her and Schmidt’s name at the scene.

Police also think Morgan helped Schmidt by renting rooms for him and driving him around town.

The arrest affidavit also reveals new details about the brief kidnapping that followed the shooting. Police said the victim was forced by gunpoint to drive the car Schmidt took. The victim told police that Schmidt held a gun to the victim’s head and heart. He dropped the victim off across town and then dumped the car a few blocks away. Video surveillance caught Schmidt running from the vehicle. Police said they also found blood in the car.

Schmidt was caught on Aug. 1 after running from police across a golf course on the east side of town. Court documents suggest he was in a disguise provided by Morgan.