this and hoping the lady has a speedy recovery.
Thanks.
Posted on 06/08/2002 11:32:31 AM PDT by trussell
It sounds like he put on a little act to make it look like temporary insanity. He'll get off most likely.
Of course the death penalty only applies if she dies. I hope the prayers of FReepers will be answered and she will survive.
Thank you for your reply.
...Which too often seems harder and harder to say, feel and...believe....
All the Best, trussell.
Another sad ping OBM Brother. Though always, thanks....
Our family will pray for Mrs Elliots return to health, and for her safe return to her dear children...
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
I will also get in touch with my sister who lives in Cortez. She may know one or both of these people or have some more up to date information.
June 11, 2002
By Katharhynn Heidelberg
Journal Staff Writer
District Attorney Joe Olt is planning to charge a man accused in the shotgun and knife attack of Melissa Elliott with first-degree premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder, Olt said Monday.
Elliott, 35, was shot and attacked Thursday night, allegedly by Dante Sena, 41, after their vehicles collided on Fifth Street. According to police, Sena fired four shots into Elliott’s Pontiac, wounding her in the face, neck and arm, and then cut her with a knife, injuring her throat and windpipe.
The mother of four remained in critical condition Monday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. The Journal had been advised Friday by an ICU nurse that Elliott was in serious condition; however, a hospital spokesman said she was listed in critical condition Monday afternoon. He would not provide specific details about her injuries, but they reportedly include extensive damage to her face.
Olt said the first-degree premeditated-murder charge, a Class 1 felony, is a precaution his office is pursuing. "We’re not sure of her condition. She seems to be getting better, but it’s very scary. We’re charging it so he doesn’t get off the hook. We want him to know we think what he did was wrong," Olt said.
Olt is hoping for Elliott’s full recovery. In that event, the murder charge will "go away," he said, and Sena will be tried on the attempted-premeditated-murder charge, a Class 2 felony.
Olt declined to comment on a motive, but police earlier have said the two knew each other.
Elliott’s family is distraught, Olt said. "They’re very scared. They have no idea why this happened."
Olt expected to file the charges either Monday afternoon or this morning. Sena will be advised on them in county court Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Sena was being held without bond over the weekend while the court ascertained Elliott’s condition. Upon being informed that "medical personnel were confident that her injuries would not prove fatal," Montezuma County Court Judge Christopher Leroi reset bond at $100,000.
If Sena is able to make bond, he will be placed on home detention — a condition Olt said was not customary for bond. Sena would also be prohibited from consuming drugs or alcohol and monitored accordingly, and could not possess or have access to weapons or firearms.
He is also prohibited having "any contact whatsoever with Elliott or any witness," according to a court order regarding bond filed Monday morning.
The attack is still under investigation, according to Cortez Police Department Lt. Detective Jim Shethar.
"No new information has come up," he said. "We’re just trying to correlate all that we have and finish reports. I think we have a handle on the information."
The police plan to interview Elliott when she is able to speak to them, Shethar said.
Personal note from me. From what I have heard, she had had to have a hand amputated because she used it to shield her face from the bullets. She is Blind, and will probably not be able to return to work.
They are concerned about the possiblity of infection, which is common in shot gun injuries.
Please keep her in prayer, and ping anyone else who would be willing to pray for her. Thank you.
Tracy
Unbelievably, there are actual human beings who would whine at such alleged unfairness.
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