[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----COLORADO

[Rick Halperin]

September 17




COLORADO:

As DA weighs Watts case, past capital punishment trials prove costly, time 
consuming----DA has 63 days from arraignment to determine whether to pursue 
capital punishment



It's been more than 3 weeks since Christopher Watts was formally advised of the 
charges in his triple homicide case, and it'll be 2 months before he returns to 
Weld District Court on Nov. 19 for a status conference.

Given the high-profile nature of the crime and the media attention it has 
already garnered, one question remains at the top of the public's mind: Will 
Weld District Attorney Michael Rourke seek the death penalty for the alleged 
murders of Shanann, Bella and Celeste Watts?

During a news conference this past month after charges had been filed, Rourke 
said it was too early in the process to make that decision. On Thursday, Krista 
Henery, spokeswoman for the Weld District Attorney's Office, reiterated 
Rourke's earlier statement.

And it likely won't be until some time next year before a decision has been 
made.

According to Colorado law, a district attorney has 63 days from the date of an 
arraignment to determine whether to pursue capital punishment in a murder case. 
An arraignment hearing isn't on the docket yet and won't be scheduled until 
Watts' next hearing in November.

(soruce: Denver Post)