Defense of Donthe Lucas files 35 motions, 1 accusing Kelsie Schelling’s father in disappearance

The April 2nd trial date for Donthe Lucas is inching closer and closer. The former Pueblo Central High School basketball star stands accused of killing his 21-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Kelsie Schelling, back in 2013.

Now it’s 2019 and investigators still haven’t found Schelling’s body, but prosecutors believe they have enough to keep Lucas behind bars for a long time.

Since the trial date was set, Lucas’ attorneys haven’t been sitting idle. The defense of Donthe Lucas has filed 35 motions, asking the judge for various things to be allowed and disallowed before trial.

One of the most intriguing requests includes an alternate suspect request in regards to the disappearance. The defense suggests Kelsie Schelling’s father should be considered as a possible suspect.

In the request to present an alternate suspect, lawyers for Donthe Lucas claim that Douglas Schelling was abusive to his own daughter, but that’s not the only defense strategy laid out by these motions.

Attorneys asked the judge to disallow evidence showing Lucas using Schelling’s debit card around the time of her disappearance.

They also ask for a change in venue due to the high publicity surrounding the case.

“There’s a minimal chance of that,” said Private Investigator Dan Corsentino. “There is a significant amount of jurors in the community of 100 and fifty thousand people in the city and county combined. I think they will be able to get a jury.”

At a sentencing hearing last week, the judge said he’s open to talking about a venue change but isn’t in favor of doing it.

During that hearing, because of the high number of motions and counter-motions by both the defense and prosecution, the idea of pushing back the April 2nd trial date was discussed.

Corsentino says there is a much stronger possibility of that. How long though, it is still difficult to say.

KRDO asked Corsentino on his thoughts regarding the defense arguing that Douglas Schelling should be considered a suspect. He refrained from answering the questions because he is expected to take the stand once the trial begins.

In order to sort out a number of these requests, there will be a motion hearing in the Pueblo Courthouse February 7th and 8th.