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Letecia Stauch: Preliminary Hearing Postponed
Letecia Stauch: Preliminary Hearing Postponed
vs.
Case Number: 20CR1358
Letecia Stauch,
Div.:15S Ctrm: S403
Defendant.
This matter comes before the Court pursuant to Stauch’s Motion to Continue Preliminary
Hearing.
This matter had been previously scheduled to proceed to a Proof Evident Presumption Great and
Preliminary Hearing on June 5, 2020. Stauch filed a Motion to Continue alleging a change in jail
visitation policies that occurred on or about May 4, 2020 which she claims interfere with her
ability to meet with her counsel. The Court only became aware of the change in the jail policy
after Stauch’s Motion was filed in this case. The Court is aware that the El Paso County Sheriff’s
Office change in access policy at the jail created a number of problems for a number of defense
counsel in a number of criminal cases. Defense counsel have also alleged that they have been
unable to adequately prepare for the hearing due to travel restrictions that have been put in place
resulting from the spread of COVID-19. Defense counsel alleges that they have not been
provided with the autopsy report and other discovery in this case. The Court GRANTS Stauch’s
Motion to Continue Preliminary Hearing.
While the Proof Evident Presumption Great and Preliminary Hearing are VACATED, the June 5,
2020 9:00 a.m. appearance date WILL REMAIN ON THE DOCKET and this matter will
proceed to a status conference to determine the best method for proceeding forward in light of
current conditions.
The Court is also aware that the jail has again recently changed its visitation policy. Defense
counsel are ORDERED to contact the jail upon receipt of this Order to determine what those
changes are and whether they will still be proceeding with Stauch’s D-11 Motion for Video
Access to Client or if that Motion is now moot. If the defense counsel do not believe the D-11
Motion is moot, defense counsel should be prepared to present evidence on the issue of access to
their client, including the parameters of the policies established by the Sheriff’s Office, through
the necessary witnesses at the time of the June 5, 2020 status conference.
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Defense counsel claims they have not been provided with discovery to include the autopsy
report, DNA results and wiretap recordings. Counsel for both parties will be expected to address
these issues at the time of the status conference.
Finally, defense counsel also claim they have been unable to travel to conduct any investigation
in Colorado, South Carolina and Florida due to Stay at Home Orders. Obviously, counsel can
still conduct investigations either over the phone or by other electronic methods. Defense
counsel should be prepared to address these claims at the time of the status conference.
BY THE COURT: