Pueblo County DA vows action after latest homicide

Responding to the city’s latest homicide investigation, Pueblo County’s District Attorney Jeff Chostner says he is, “outraged by the continuing cycle of violence [in Pueblo] and the lack of Council’s concern on the matter”.

Chostner says he’s been frustrated by the council’s inaction on issues such as police funding, and wonders if Pueblo should be budgeting it’s money towards more public safety.

The district attorney sent out a letter to council members on Sunday, outlining his frustration and promising to go in front of council soon with a ballot proposal. You can read the email in its entirety here:

“As you may know, and if you don’t, you soon will, we had another homicide last night on 8 th and Main Street, near the old Anchor Inn [now the Iron Horse, ed.] The victim is Marty Poole’s 24 year old grandson; Heather Poole’s son. This is an extremely tragic event in a long line of deaths in this community. This must come to an end and I need your help. Rather than pave streets, we need to make them safe . Please reconsider your priorities in ballot initiatives for this fall’s election. There is no other ballot issue, no matter how you craft it, that has public support other than public safety. I ask that you get on board with me to help prevent this kind of senseless violence. We need more police officers on the street. My ballot initiative will do that. There has to be a police presence in the community that is respected. Right now, criminal elements believe they can get away with crime, and yes murder, with impunity. Your primary duty is to public safety, and that is sorely being tested right now.

I will be back in front of Council sometime in March, with specific ballot language. I urge you to reconsider community priorities and put your full weight and political will behind a public safety initiative. The City is demanding it.

Regards, Jeff”

Chostner was unavailable on Sunday for further comment. He has said he will speak more on the topic come Monday, February 29 th . We will of course keep you posted on any other developments that come about.

For more on this story, plus full details of the shooting outside the Iron Horse, be sure to watch our special post-Oscar edition of NewsChannel 13 at 10:00pm.