Denver District Attorney

The Struggle of Love Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for underprivileged youth and families to access year-round services and programs.

DA Walsh was one of several speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Struggle of Love Foundation's new facility. The event also celebrated the organization's 25-year presence in the Montbello community.

A jury today convicted Jay Bianchi of three counts of Sexual Assault and two counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact. The convictions relate to Bianchi's conduct with three women between 2020 and 2024 at two Denver bars that he owned. Sentencing is scheduled for January 23.

A plaque was also unveiled to celebrate the accomplishments of former Denver District Attorney Bert Keating, who personally, and successfully, prosecuted the case against the man responsible for the bombing.

DA Walsh was among several speakers, including victims’ family members, who yesterday helped dedicate a memorial plaque at the old Stapleton Airport tower in memory of the 44 people who died when a suitcase filled with dynamite brought down United flight 629 on November 1, 1955.

Patrick Browne has pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder. He faces 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced on November 13. Browne was charged with menacing 20 year-old Isaiah Martinez and one other man and then stabbing Martinez to death in south Denver on September 29, 2024.

DA Walsh was among the speakers yesterday at the 15th annual Denver Public Safety Luncheon, whose goal is to inform the community about the state of public safety in Denver. The luncheon benefits six Denver charities that focus on public safety.

DA Walsh led our spirited team at this year's Mile High Trunk or Treat at Empower Field and helped kicked off a fun and safe Halloween for Denver families.

DA Walsh joined survivors and victims' families at the Route2Change event to discuss ways to prevent pedestrian and cyclist tragedies. Route2Change was founded in memory of Magnus White, a 17-year-old, nationally-renowned cyclist killed by a reckless driver in Boulder in 2023.

Gregory Stapleton has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. On September 8, 2020, Stapleton stabbed 36-year-old Richard Ford to death near the Auraria Campus.

A woman who was with Quintana was also shot but survived her injuries.
The trial of Hernandez’s co-defendant, Simon Gurule, is scheduled to begin on January 26th. Gurule is facing numerous charges, including the top count of First-Degree Murder.

18-year-old Ronnie Hernandez has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to Second-Degree Murder.
On June 8, 2024, Hernandez shot and killed 29-year-old Manuel Quintana at a gas station in west Denver.

Among many other achievements, DA Keating successfully prosecuted the man who placed a bomb on board United flight 629 on November 1, 1955, killing all 44 people on board shortly after taking off from Denver’s Stapleton Airport.

DA Walsh accepted a City Council proclamation today honoring the remarkable career of former Denver DA Bert Keating, who died in 1967 after 19 years in office.

DA Walsh spoke this weekend about community engagement, bias-motivated crimes and access to justice at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference here in Denver.

Joseph Lash was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of First-Degree Murder last Friday. On March 11, 2023, Lash shot and killed 18-year-old Rigoberto Esparza outside a house in Montbello.

Denver juries returned guilty verdicts in three separate First-Degree Murder Cases in the past three days. Here's a link to more information about the cases: www.denverda.org/news-release...

Fielder faces life in prison without the possibility of parole when he’s sentenced on December 15.

Tanner Fielder was convicted today of two counts of First-Degree Murder. In September of 2023, Fielder shot and killed 43-year-old Jeremy Hutcheson and 31-year-old Lluvia Robles-Banuelos along the South Platte River bike path.

Strahinja Jokic pleaded guilty today to one count of Trespassing and one count of Disorderly Conduct. Judge Kerri Lombardi then sentenced Jokic to one year of probation.
On April 22, 2024, Jokic punched the victim in the face at a Denver Nuggets basketball game at Ball Arena.

A Denver jury today convicted Joseph Lash of First-Degree Murder. On March 11, 2023, Lash shot and killed 18-year-old Rigoberto Esparza outside a house in Montbello. Lash faces life in prison without the possibility of parole when he’s sentenced on October 14.

Isaiah Vigil was sentenced to 18 years in prison for drug trafficking and COCCA violations. His 2022 arrest followed a Violent Crime Enterprise Task Force (Denver Police Department and FBI) investigation. Codefendants received prison sentences ranging from 16 to 19 years.

In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, DA Walsh joined several other members of our office at the “One Mile Closer to Hope” walk, which started at the Rose Andom Center and ended with remarks at the City and County Building.

Congratulations to our incredible colleague, Edlin Alvarado, who won the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance’s award for Outstanding Public Sector Victim Advocate. Thank you (y mil gracias), Edlin, for all you do for our office and for so many people in need!

One of the other defendants also received an 18-year prison sentence, and two defendants received life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Swa Bay was sentenced today to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty last year to Second-Degree Murder. Bay was the fourth and final defendant charged in connection with the death of Ma Kaing in July of 2022.

In recognition of National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week, DA Walsh joined other city leaders this morning to honor the outstanding service of Denver’s STAR and Co-Responder teams.

“Civil rights and the Rule of Law are human accomplishments, hard fought victories. It is up to us to breathe life into them – constantly,” said DA Walsh.

On the eve of Constitution Day, DA Walsh joined today with several other prominent members of Denver’s legal community to reaffirm their commitment to the Rule of Law.

Our very own Stephani Marquez just received the Cindy Nelson Award from the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council. The award recognizes an office manager for their level of excellence, dedication and professionalism. Congratulations, Stephani! Well deserved!