Sheriff Bill Elder takes new approach to investigation into Tom Clements’ Death

El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder said Wednesday his team is handling the investigation of prison chief Tom Clements’ death differently than his predecessor.

Department of Corrections Chief Tom Clements was shot and killed at his Monument home March 19, 2013. Parolee Evan Ebel pulled the trigger.

Days earlier, Ebel had shot pizza delivery driver Nathan Leon. Information surfaced in the months after the murder that Ebel had cut off his ankle bracelet four days before the killing spree. A warrant was not issued for Ebel until six days after his ankle bracelet was cut off. Ebel was later killed in a shootout with law enforcement in Texas.

There are reports that Elder said he thought former Sheriff Terry Maketa hindered the investigation because of the sour relationship between his agency and other investigative agencies. However, Elder told KRDO NewsChannel 13 he is not criticizing how Maketa handled the situation, but plans to take a different approach.

“He’s opinion was that there was a conspiracy and that’s where that investigation was steering. I’m not sure that I’m of that same opinion,” said Elder.

Elder said he did not know of any conspiracy.

“I don’t know what that conspiracy was. Something the previous staff had talked about. I don’t know if there is a conspiracy,” said Elder.

Jeff Nohr has been the lead detective in Clements’ murder case.

“We continue to follow leads and talk to people. Is there a day that’s going to come that we have those answers? That’s an unknown. That’s why we continue to work until we have what we are after,” said Nohr.

Elder said his investigators are re-examining this case and other unsolved cases.

“We are just taking a fresh look to make sure all the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted,” said Elder.

Thursday marks the second anniversary of Clements’ death.