Thread: Suspected cop killer back in Colorado to face justice

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Suspected cop killer back in Colorado to face justice
posted by: Paola Farer Web Producer

Created: 12/21/2005 10:11 PM MST - Updated: 12/23/2005 6:16 AM MST

DENVER - The man accused of killing a Denver police officer was brought back to Colorado from Mexico late Thursday night.

He was flown by private plane to Centennial airport, escorted by United States marshals and the Denver Police detectives, who then took him by police escort to the Denver pre-arraignment detention facility.

He could appear in court as early as Friday.

Gomez-Garcia is accused in the shooting death of Denver Police Detective Donnie Young in May. Detective Jack Bishop was wounded in the same attack that took place while the officers were working off-duty security at a party.

More than a month after the crime Gomez-Garcia was found hiding in Mexico. The Mexican government ordered his extradition after prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. The deadline for Gomez-Garcia to appeal the extradition has since passed.

Officer Jack Bishop told 9News that he's pleased the process has gone as well as it has.

"Personally for me, the next big hurdle is going to be the court process...actually having to relive that night," he said. "I'll have to testify, and that's one of the biggest hurdles I'll have to get over."

Donnie Young's widow is out of town for the holidays, but told Chief Whitman that she, too, is relieved.

Gomez-Garcia faces charges of second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He could be sentenced to 96 years in prison if convicted of both.

Centennial airport, planes fly over my place all the time. Best he was escorted! 96 years in prison sounds great for him. I hope he gets the MAX!!!!!!

He's looking for a change of venue. Where shall we send him.?. While Im sure the widow would like him to die, this is one guy I think who will find prison a living hell.

http://cbs4denver.com/crime/local_story_358004448.html


Dec 23, 2005 10:29 pm US/Mountain

More Details Released On Night Det. Young Died

Anna Alejo
Reporting

CBS4) DENVER A 20-year-old man accused of killing a police officer at a baptismal party appeared in court Friday to hear the charges against him, less than a day after being extradited from Mexico.

The Mexican Consulate said Raul Gomez-Garcia didn't fight extradition because he wanted to see his family.

"He was anxious to come here because in the jail over there in Mexico he has no contact with family members," said Rudy Martinez, Mexican consulate lawyer. "The family is here so he wants to be with the family, closer with the family."

Gomez-Garcia is accused of shooting and killing Denver detective Donnie Young and wounding Officer Jack Bishop in May.

Gomez-Garcia told a lawyer from the Mexican Consulate that he was nervous when a Denver police detective attempted to question him early Friday morning.

Now that the murder defendant is in custody on American soil, court documents were unsealed, so more details were released about what happened the night Young was murdered.

Gomez-Garcia allegedly became angry the night Detective Young escorted him out of a party.

He allegedly swore at Young. When Detective Young went back inside the banquet hall, he told Bishop that he should not have grabbed that guy by the neck.

Gomez-Garcia reportedly went to a pool hall with friends after the confrontation, vowing to return to shoot the officers.

Witnesses described how Gomez-Garcia shot the officer than went back to the pool hall admitting he'd shot the officers.

"I'm happy that we're here today. I'm happy that we're ready to proceed," said Mitch Morrissey, Denver district attorney.

In court, the public defender raised the prospect of a change of venue for this high publicity case.

Morrissey said it's premature to think about that now.

"I don't think it's an issue, so until I see a motion, it's not an issue," Morrissey said.

Gomez-Garcia told the consular officer how he hopes his girlfriend and infant daughter will visit him at the county jail.

On Thursday night, the widow of Young and Bishop were both contacted and informed that the extradition was successful.

If convicted, Gomez-Garcia faces a maximum of 96 years in prison.