A Denver man charged with fatally shooting a woman and wounding her boyfriend during a confrontation over dog poop has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
The man accused of killing a woman and seriously injuring her boyfriend while they were walking their dog in the Ballpark neighborhood pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in court Monday. Michael Close, 37, faces 22 charges in the June 10 incident, including first-degree murder and using a banned high-capacity magazine. He made his plea in court at 8:30 a.m. during a continuation of a Jan. 4 arraignment hearing and he will undergo a mental.
Suspect in deadly Ballpark shooting pleads not guilty by reason of insanity
Isabella Thallas, 21, died in shooting; Darian Simon, 27, injured
Denver Police Department
and last updated 2021-03-08 12:48:32-05
DENVER â The man accused of shooting and killing a young woman and severely injuring her boyfriend in the Ballpark neighborhood last June pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on Monday.
Michael Close, 37, appeared by video at an arraignment Monday morning in Denver District Court, where his attorney entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea on his behalf with respect to the 22 counts Close faces, including first-degree murder, in last yearâs shooting.
Isabella Thallas was killed by a stolen firearm in June 2020. Now, her mother is pushing for a bill she says will prevent similar tragedies in the future.
(Editor s note: Responses have been edited for context and clarity.)
9NEWS: Could you share your personal thoughts about the case, in general?
Pazen: This case has personally affected myself, as well other officers. Officers rushed into this situation in order to save lives and they, as well as myself, are personally hurt by this tragedy.
This is one that I will remember as long as I’m alive. It’s a horrible situation, a beautiful young life has been taken from us. It hurts our community and I share that hurt with the family.
Isabella s mother is asking that Sgt. Politica be removed from the force. What are your thoughts on that request?