17th Judicial District Attorney Don Quick announced today that Cristina Sears (DOB: 07/16/1965) was found guilty of killing her step-mother and attempting to murder her step-sister.
On December 22, 2009 at approximately 3:30 PM Aurora police responded to a residence on East 22nd Drive in Aurora, Adams County Colorado in reference to reports of an armed party and shooting of two people at that location. Witnesses testified at trial that Sears entered the residence unannounced of her step-mother, Eleanor Sears (DOB: 07/23/1932) and fatally shot her while she was cooking at her stove. Witnesses also testified that Sears then went into an adjacent room and began shooting at her step-sister Joy Pigon (DOB: 02/16/1960). Ms. Pigon suffered bodily injury from being pistol whipped and shot several times while chased throughout the house and backyard by Sears. With a gun held inches from her face, Ms. Pigon begged Sears to stop shooting so the young children upstairs would not see what was happening. Evidence further showed that Sears made over 20 phone calls to family and friends within the first 17 minutes following the shooting admitting she shot two people.
Defense argued that Sears was not guilty by reason of insanity. After an hour of deliberation, an Adams County jury convicted Sears of First Degree Murder (F1), Attempted First Degree Murder (F2), First Degree Assault (F3), Second Degree Assault (F4) and Menacing (M3). DA Quick was lead prosecutor on the case and stated in closing arguments, “This case is not a tragedy. It is a murder... Cold, calculated and well thought out.”
Adams County District Court Judge Patrick Murphy immediately sentenced Sears to life in the Colorado Department of Corrections for First Degree Murder; the maximum of 48 years for Attempted First Degree Murder to be served consecutively; First Degree Assault merges into the previous two charges; the maximum of 16 years for Second Degree Assault to be served consecutively; and three years for Menacing, to be served concurrently.
“The killing of a 74 year-old woman rightly carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison,” says Quick at sentencing. “Regarding the other counts, as a prosecutor it is not often that I ask for the maximum penalty. But in this case, the maximum is justice.”
Tribute to Dijoun Quinn of Commerce City... There is now a $2500 reward posted by the Commerce City
A Shooting Claims the life of 18 year old Dijoun Quinn... COMMERCE CITY - The Commerce City Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in the 6500 block of Holly St. Officers responded to a report of shots being fired in the area. When they arrived they found a male lying on the ground. It appears that an 18 year old male was walking southbound on Holly St when he was shot multiple times. The male was transported to the hospital but did not survive his injuries. Commerce City police identified the 18-year-old as Dijoun Quinn, a recent graduate of Adams City High School who had enlisted in the Army. Quinn's Grandfather says his grandson didn't have any enemies and was not in a gang. There is no suspect information available at this time, and investigators are encouraging anyone with information to contact Detective Bryan VanderMeer at 303-289-3629 or the Commerce City Tip Line at 303-289-3626. The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.
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