Trial date set for Yoder man accused of murdering 6-year-old son

YODER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Nikolay Krutitskiy, accused of shooting and killing his 6-year-old son in Yoder, pleaded not guilty to murder Monday morning against his attorney's advice.

During Krutitskiy's hearing, a prosecutor from the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office stated Krutitskiy was offered a deal that would require him to plead guilty to second-degree murder and a handful of other charges with a sentencing range of 48 to 60 years. Though his public defender urged him to take the deal, Krutitskiy officially decided to plead "not guilty" on all charges and go to trial in November.

He's facing 15 charges related to his son's death, including first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, prohibited use of a gun while drunk, violent crime causing death, menacing and several more. If convicted, Krutitskiy could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His son, Roman Krutitskiy, was just six years old when he died back in June of 2020 in Yoder, which is about 45 minutes east of Colorado Springs. KRDO tried to obtain more information about the circumstances surrounding the boy's death, but court records were sealed at the time of his father's arrest.

After he died, Roman's family sent KRDO a statement:

"Our family is heartbroken over the death of Roman, a boy so full of life and joy. The circumstances of his death are beyond tragic, no child should ever know such pain. If you suspect that someone you know has been the victim of abuse or domestic violence please speak up, help out and let them know they have someone they can turn to. You could be the difference between a life of possibilities and a life lost."

As of Monday, a trial date for Krutitskiy is tentatively set for Nov. 30.