Outside of thousands-strong crowds on Norlin quad at 4/20 and even larger ones rushing Folsom field after a football game, many criminal antics occur on the Hill and elsewhere on a weekly basis. Such events are often recorded in local media outlets within a day of when they happen. However, such stories are often based on initial accounts by police that may or may not translate into convictions in court.
Here is a review of some cases that have occurred in the past year and earlier and how they are proceeding in court:
Chaz Chaffee
According to a Boulder Police Department press release, Chaffee, 19, was accused of stabbing junior films studies major Martin O’Connor, 21, in the side with a four-inch-long folding knife at a party in the 700 block of 19th street, on Dec. 3, 2008. Chaffee was believed to have made inappropriate comments toward female guests, which led to him being asked to leave. A fight then ensued, in which Chaffee allegedly stabbed O’Connor. Chaffee was then arrested on suspicion of first degree assault.
Court records indicate that Chaffee is being charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Chaffee pleaded not guilty on March 31. He is due to go to trial in September.
Neither Chaffee or O’Connor could be reached for comment.
Natalie Ziemba
Ziemba, 20, a senior women’s studies major, was one of 12 people ticketed for during the annual naked pumpkin run on Halloween of 2008. Participants run down Pearl Street wearing only jack-o-lanterns on their heads. There was some conjecture in local media that the runners would have to register as sex offenders, but this has not yet occurred. Ziemba pleaded guilty disorderly conduct Dec. 18 2008 and was given eight hours of community service, and a total of $26 in fees.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” Ziemba said in response to an e-mail asking for her comments.
Wesley Cox
According to several Boulder Police Department press releases, Cox, 44, was originally arrested on Halloween after allegedly videotaping a couple having sex. He was later connected to a series of burglaries in which he allegedly stole women’s underwear. Boulder PD later found dozens of women’s undergarments in Cox’s home and released pictures of them to the press so that their owners might identify and claim them.
Cox pleaded not guilty to the charges on April 20 and is due to go to trial next August.
Linwood Jones
Jones, 30, was arrested Nov. 29, 2008 for forcible sex assault, according to a police report. He is accused of raping an unidentified woman on Nov. 25. The woman, a co-worker of Jones’s, allegedly invited him to stay at her home because he was homeless at the time. The police report stated that she woke up to find Jones raping her. After a brief struggle, Jones fled, and the woman gathered her clothes and bed sheets and went to the hospital.
Jones pleaded not guilty on Jan. 22, and is due to go to trial in June.
Alexander Rek
Rek, a 21-year-old senior economics major at the time, was arrested after allegedly being involved in a hit-and-run Feb. 23, 2008 near 9th St. and College Ave. Witnesses reported that a black Volvo appeared to swerve and accelerate towards a group of friends. The car hit Eliseo Rodriguez, 15 at the time, who was hospitalized for a broken bone and bruises. An anonymous tip led police to Rek. Rek consented to a search of his garage Feb. 24, 2008, turned himself in accompanied by his lawyer March 3 2008 and was arrested for five felonies and a reckless driving charge.
Court records indicate that during his first appearance, Rek was granted leave from Boulder for Acapulco, Mexico from March 22 to March 27, 2008, roughly the same time as CU’s spring break.
On March 13, Rek pleaded guilty to one of the felonies, leaving the scene of an accident, in return for the other five charges being dropped. He is due to be sentenced on May 22.
Rek could not be reached for comment.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sam Dieter at Samuel.dieter@colorado.edu.
