Trial date set for Colorado Springs ‘Make My Day’ shooting
The Colorado Springs man charged with second-degree murder in a January shooting is scheduled to be tried in May.
Patrick Rau appeared in court on Wednesday. Rau pleaded not guilty earlier this year in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Donald Russell on Jan. 19. The shooting is being investigated as a “Make My Day” case.
On Wednesday, an El Paso County Judge set Rau’s trial for 8:30 a.m. on May 14. The prosecution and defense both predict the trial will last about a week.
There will be a motions hearing at 1:30 p.m. on April 6, when the judge will evaluate if the case falls under Colorado’s “Make My Day” law. The law protects people from any liability for using force against a home invader.
The judge also set a motions filing deadline for March 1.
