Colorado Court of Appeals overturns conviction of accused child killer Letecia Stauch
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- An El Paso County woman who was found guilty of murdering her 11-year-old stepson, Gannon Stauch, has had her conviction reversed by the Colorado Court of Appeals.
According to court records, Letecia Stauch appealed her conviction, arguing, in part, that the trial court erred by denying her challenge to a biased juror whose son-in-law worked in the same office that was prosecuting her case.
The Colorado Court of Appeals found that the judge's failure to dismiss the biased juror was a structural error and therefore required that Stauch be given a new trial.
KRDO13 spoke with Gannon Stauch's mother on Thursday. She tells us she is very upset that this conviction has been reversed. She said right now all she can ask for is prayers and support as she and others continue to work to keep Gannon's memory alive.
The Colorado Court of Appeals full decision can be viewed below:
Gannon's father shared this statement:
"After hearing the news today about the decision by the court of appeals, I am truly torn by the emotions of potentially having to repeat this process. My resolve, however, has never been greater, my desire for justice has never waivered and most importantly my love for Gannon will never fail. I am reminded daily that Gannon is standing next to God in Heaven and together looking down on all of us. As Pastor Paul and my momma recommended so many times throughout this process, let’s go to the Psalms. I declare Psalm 23 over my family, all of the attorneys on this case and everyone who has shown love and support for Gannon. The end result will be the same and although we do not wish to journey this path again, we stand with those who will handle this case and believe whole heartedly in their ability to finish this once and for all."
- Al Stauch, Gannon Stauch's father
Gannon Stauch was first reported missing from his Lorson Ranch home on Jan. 27, 2020. His stepmother, Stauch, was arrested in early March 2020 for his death. Later that month, on March 17, 2020, his body was found stuffed in a suitcase under a bridge in Florida. According to the autopsy, he had been shot, stabbed, and had a skull fracture.
KRDO13 has reached out to the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office for comment.
Today we learned of the appellate court’s ruling in the Gannon Stauch murder case. The court’s opinion is a disappointing result for this office, Gannon’s family, and everyone who loves him. Still, we remain undeterred in our search for ultimate justice in this case. We will consult with the Attorney General’s office about seeking review of today’s decision in the Colorado Supreme Court, and if necessary, we will be prepared to present the case to a new jury here in El Paso County.
Until shareable information is available, we will have no further comment.
- Kate Singh, a representative for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office
The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) confirmed to KRDO13 that Letecia Stauch is in CDOC custody at the Denver Women's Correction Facility and will remain there for the time being. If and when the CDOC receives a mittimus from the court, Stauch would be returned to the same county she was charged in, in this case, El Paso County. Stauch would then be in the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center under the custody of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, according to the CDOC.
As it stands now, Stauch will be transported to court hearings for her new trial. The result of the new trial, ordered by the Colorado Court of Appeals, will determine Stauch's new sentence if convicted.
A close friend of Gannon's mother also shared this statement with KRDO13:
My heart is truly heavy, I stand with my sweet friend, Gannon’s mother, Landen, his grandmother, Laronda, and the rest of his precious family whom I love dearly. I hope they know that I will always stand beside them, and with them, through every moment of this, no matter how difficult it becomes.
The decision to overturn the conviction and grant a retrial is deeply painful and incredibly hard to understand. For so many of us, this case was not just about evidence and courtrooms, it was about a little boy whose life was taken in the most heartbreaking and sickening way, by someone who was supposed to protect him! It feels like justice that was already fought for and won is now being pulled back, reopening wounds that never fully healed.
While I understand that the legal system must follow its process, it does not make this any less devastating. There is a deep sense of grief, frustration, and sorrow as those who love Gannon are faced with reliving this tragedy all over again.
Even in the midst of these emotions, I hold firmly to my faith. I believe in a just God who sees all and knows all, He sees every truth, every lie, every act done in darkness. While the legal system may go through its processes, I trust that true justice, God’s justice, will ultimately prevail.. I continue to pray for strength, peace, and comfort over this family as they walk through this incredibly painful chapter once again.
And yes, I even pray for the soul of the one responsible, while still believing she should face the fullest extent of justice possible here on earth.
Gannon’s life mattered. He will never be forgotten, and his story will continue to be told.
We are, and always will be, Gannon Strong… Justice for Gannon!!!
- Brittany Tedder, friend of Gannon's mother, Landen
In Gannon's old neighborhood, residents continue to honor his life with blue porch lights. Some neighbors tell KRDO13 they plan to get more blue ribbons to tie around their trees just like they did when Gannon was first reported missing.
Neighbors tell KRDO13 that this is a terrible turn in this case. Some neighbors also expressed anger, saying that Letecia Stauch should remain behind bars for the rest of her life.
They say their hearts break for Gannon's parents, saying it's hard enough that they have to live without their son each day; now, the idea of having to redo the trial is unthinkable.
Local legal expert shares insight into proceedings
KRDO13 spoke to a legal expert for insights into the court's decision to understand what the community could expect next.
Defense Attorney Jeremy Lowe told KRDO13 he was surprised that the judge did not remove the problematic juror because of what it would mean for the future case.
"What they did was set the judge up for appeal. They knew that the judge had made critical error in this case, and by failing to remove this juror, they knew they were going to be getting a new trial on the case. It was a great strategy by the defense because it was absolutely plain error," says Lowe.
He tells KRDO13 that if and when Stauch goes back to court, it might not even be in El Paso County. Lowe says this is due to the high-profile nature of the case and its impact on the community, which may mean the trial must be held in a different jurisdiction.
According to Lowe, the defense will now have the opportunity to question witnesses' memories, which may have changed after six years.
To read all of KRDO13's reporting on this case, click here.
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