Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Opening statements in murder trial begin in case of Kelsie Schelling's disappearance, Donthe Lucas murder trial will begin Wednesday, Long-awaited murder trial to begin in the case of Kelsie Schelling's disappearance, Previous coverage: The Kelsie Schelling Case. For a full recap of Day 10 in the trial, click here. In this week's True Crime Daily Podcast: An update to the Colorado cold case murder of missing pregnant woman Kelsie Schelling (1:50). Its been over eight years since Laura Saxtons 21-year-old pregnant daughter Kelsie Schelling vanished. wordlist = ['!', '$.027', '$.03', '$.054/mbf', '$.07', '$.07/cwt', '$.076', '$.09', '$.10-a-minute', '$.105', '$.12', '$.30', '$.30/mbf', '$.50', '$.65', '$.75', '$. From the. She'd driven down from Denver to Pueblo to meet her boyfriend Donthe Lucas, who had. I love you very much and you know it. She was happy. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. Geo resource failed to load. Its going to be OK, Saxton said she told her daughter. Kelsie Schelling was only 21 years old when she vanished. Binet asked Lucas if he had any idea where Schelling might be, to which Lucas replied: Honestly, Im not too sure. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The 21-year-old from Colorado had already announced to family and friends. Eric Bravo took over the case with the help of Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agent Kevin Torres. Opening statements were set to begin just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, and. She received a Facebook message from a person who claimed to be a woman but wanted to remain anonymous, and claimed to have information about Schellings disappearance. According to the State Department of Corrections records, because Donthe is to spend the rest of his natural life behind bars, his estimated sentence discharge date is December 31, 9998. On Dec. 1, 2017, two weeks after his arrest for the robbery, Lucas was arrested and charged with first degree murder. . After Torres, the prosecution called to the stand Jennifer Walker, the executive director of the Crisis Center a nonprofit organization in Douglas County that address domestic violence. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. I had information that Donthe was leaving Pueblo with members of his family and was heading to [Denver International Airport], Pueblo County District Attorney Jeff Chostner said. After a few weeks, they met in person. Yet, there was still someone else who said Lucas had confessed vital information: Lauren Suhr. But it soon became clear that Schelling had disappeared without a trace and no one knew where she was. Her mother said she wonders what would have become of her life. I plan to make things work. That's just 100% clarification that some dirt bags out there are trying to get money off of these poor families.. Although some initially believed it seemed suspicious that Martinez died just before her testimony, investigators determined the shooting was completely unrelated to the trial. Since the trial is over, and Kelsie still hasn't been found I've just felt very, very lost and very empty, Saxton said in the week following the trial. After years of waiting for him to go on trial for her disappearance, the disturbing details about Schelling's relationship with Lucas were finally revealed more than eight years later during a Colorado court trial in 2021, with Lucas charged with her murder. But soon, Kelsie started confiding in her friends that her boyfriend was physically abusive and exhibited other toxic behavioral traits.
Without a crime scene, murder weapon or body, how could the jury be convinced this was murder, and that Lucas was responsible? She said she first reached out to him on Facebook and they exchanged numbers. Contests & Promotions, 2023, Pikes Peak Television, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO, USA, Divide mother missing for two years, family begging for any information, One man injured in shooting on Pueblos east side Friday afternoon, El suicidio de un menor argentino conmueve a Espaa. Former FBI agent and ABC News contributor Brad Garrett said Marcus story aligns with how many other scams work. He just says, If I hear from her, I'll let you know, Saxton said. Their lock to their front gate into the dump had been tampered with., It caught my attention when I grabbed the lock in my hand, and I said, Well, somebody tried to get in here overnight, Guadalupe Maestas, a worker at the landfill, told 20/20. Thats what came to my mind right away.. Torres said texts showed Schelling eventually agreed to come to Pueblo. You dont have to have a happy little family with me. KOAA News5 on your time, streaming on your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and AndroidTV. Criminal defense attorney Danielle Iredale joins host Ana Garcia. MORE:Lucas trial day 3: Kelsie Schelling's friends continue testimony, cellphone records discussed. She met Donna Whitson, single Continued. OK. Sinnema testified that Lucas never mentioned: leaving Schellings vehicle at Walmart; meeting Schelling on a side-street of his grandmothers home; Schelling staying in his home that night on Manor Ridge Drive; or using Schellings debit card. It reaches the surface, he said. I'm really grateful to know that we know the answer, Saxton said. In May 2016, just after 20/20 covered Schellings case, Pueblo Police Capt. Where do I go?. I told you Id give you everything you need when you get here so u dont need that job.. Once the money was exchanged, then this courier person would go and get Kelsie and bring her back to the McDonalds, Saxton said of the instructions she received. Daily Briefing Her mother, Laura Saxton, also knew about their tumultuous alliance. Tate said Schellings medical records did not indicate she was at any risk of a miscarriage. Lucas and Schelling continue to exchange texts throughout the day of Feb. 4, beginning before her OBGYN appointment. When Suhr was back on the witness stand Wednesday, she said Lucas proposed to her, who took the ring, but said she would have to think about it. Kelsie Schelling disappeared after driving down from Denver to Pueblo on February 4th, 2013. The Parkview Medical Center, however, did not have any record of Schellings supposed visit. Waiting for your permission to load facebook comments. Lucas insisted to the man, who later testified about the incident in court, that he wouldn't be convicted of that crime but in the end, it seemed to seal his fate. The lead investigator on the case from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation believes Schelling was strangled by Lucas after he lured her down to Pueblo. Sinnema said Lucas also did not mention dropping Schellings vehicle off at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center on Feb. 7. Saxton still doesn't have all the answers she's searched tirelessly for. Colette Bordelon also spoke to Martinez's cousin, who said he believes her murder does have to do with the trial. Sinnema said Lucas told him that Schelling returned later that morning, again to discuss their relationship. On 4 February, Kelsie got confirmation of her pregnancy from her doctor and sent the scan pictures to Lucas. By taking this avowal seriously, Adrian Johnston nally claries the philosophical project underlying iek's eorts. Though Schellings family got the verdict they wanted, they were still unable to bring her home for a proper burial. Asked if he believed Schelling orchestrated her own disappearance, Binet said, No. PUEBLO The Pueblo murder trial of Donthe Lucas, who is accused of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend 21-year-old Kelsie Schelling in 2013, continued Wednesday following testimony from various experts on evidence found in her vehicle. Kelsie Schelling was over the moon. She said that domestic violence does not always escalate from mental and emotional abuse into physical abuse, but said changes in power dynamics such as a new pregnancy could lead to an escalation of abuse. Kelsey Ann Smith (May 3, 1989 - June 2, 2007) was an Overland Park, Kansas teenager who disappeared on June 2, 2007 and was murdered that evening. And I can get her back, Kadie Lancaster told 20/20. What if he really does have her and I can bring her home?.
I know that my testimony could potentially help take him down, and that was realistically why I wanted to testify, she said. Kelsie Schelling's childhood rocked with emotional fallout from family split: Part 1Schelling's parents got divorced and she lived with her mother, Laura Sax. Severe Weather But tragically, Kelsie Schelling went missing soon after she revealed her pregnancy to her partner, Donthe Lucas. Schelling replied that she did want Lucas to accompany her to the doctor until I realized thats the last place you wanted to be.. The person you may send to pick up the cash at a particular location may know nothing about what the scam is.. The defenses strategy, though, was to contend how this case was the biggest stretch in Colorado history as there was no body, no crime scene, and no DNA evidence against Donthe.
Kelsie Schelling's mom opens up about guilty verdict in daughter's This led them to believe Lucas had murdered Schelling, and disposed of her body there, though her remains have never been found.
Finding Kelsie l 20/20 l PART 3 - YouTube One text from Schellings phone to Lucas at 11:56 a.m., said After u get that money pick me up and stay out of my life!, Another, sent at 11:59 a.m., said, You can bring my car to Denver tonight. Please enter valid email address to continue. She used to work out there and she lived there for a while. Saxton still doesn't have all the answers she's searched tirelessly for. The Denver Police Department has said that they don't believe her death was connected to the trial. Lucas said they met up again the following morning and that he brought Schelling to Parkview Medical Center, where she went inside the hospital and emerged a short time later, saying Im not pregnant. He has this way about him that makes you feel so sorry for him.
Disturbing Details About Kelsie Schelling's Partner And Murderer Text messages show he first instructed her to go to a specific Walmart on the south side of town. The defense in Lucas' trial rested on Monday without calling any witnesses. I will support you whether Donthe is in the picture or not in the picture. MORE: Lucas trial day 2: Friends of Kelsie Schelling speak to a toxic and abusive relationship. (1) 2021 TV-14. A jury. At 1:28 a.m., Schelling tells Lucas, I wont tell you anything about the baby. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website. Dateline's new documentary series "The Last Day" premiered this week with an episode about the killing of 20-year-old Iowan Mollie Tibbetts. A recording of their conversation was introduced as evidence. Prosecutors confirmed that Wilkins and Martinez were the same person. At 1:34 p.m., Lucas sends another text saying, sorry again about the loss, telling Schelling he will soon be going up to Denver to drop off her car. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Saxton called Lucas, asking if he knew anything about her daughters disappearance. Then, he proposed to her. As a mom, I couldnt even begin to fathom knowing that your childs out there or not out there, Suhr told 20/20 in an exclusive interview. Well, there certainly were evidentiary problems, Chostner said. Eighteen hours later, an unknown man is seen getting in the car and driving away. Torres, continuing his testimony from Friday, began the fourth day of the trial by detailing alleged text exchanges between Lucas and Schelling on the night of Feb. 3 and the day of her disappearance Feb. 4, breaking them down minute-by-minute and hour-by-hour as the conversation unfolded. CBS4 was on scene in 2017 when investigators dug up the yard of a home where Lucas used to live. A man in Pueblo reported that Lucas and his family members had attacked him in front of the Lucas family home and stolen $1,000 from him. 21-year-old Kelsie Schelling was two months pregnant when she drove from Denver to Pueblo to see her former boyfriend Donthe Lucas.
Donthe Lucas found guilty in death of pregnant woman Kelsie Schelling Saxton was the first witness to testify. Next on the witness stand was Kathleen Tate, a medical doctor who handled Schellings original OBGYN visit on Feb. 4. She still wants to bring Kelsie home and give her the burial she feels her daughter deserves. Plus, a baggage claim sticker leads to an arrest after human remains were found in two suitcases on the side of a Denver road in December (30:07). March 8, 2021 / 11:59 PM At 11:14 p.m., he changes plans and tells Schelling to meet him, where you usually do, seemingly referring to an intersection near his grandmothers home where Schelling had picked him up on previous occasions. Tate testified that after her appointment concluded, Schelling scheduled her follow-up appointment for March 4, 2013, but never showed up. He reportedly asks what the doctors told her and she replies that everything looked good and that her due date was Sept. 13. They quickly learned about Lucas relationship with Suhr, and a crucial bit of information that he had revealed to her. March 3 Fugitive Finder: Pueblos most wanted, Increase in Shigella cases, drug-resistant infections, Remembrance ceremony for Divide woman missing since, Disneyland fan sets record for most consecutive, Biden had cancerous lesion removed, no further treatment, Brothers convicted of killing groom hours after wedding, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Text messages showed the emotionally abusive relationship Kelsie was in. She wanted that baby. First published on March 8, 2021 / 11:59 PM. In this week's True Crime Daily Podcast: An update to the Colorado cold case murder of missing pregnant woman Kelsie Schelling (1:50). I have to go to the doctor. After that, she moved to Washington in spring 2017 and never spoke to Lucas again. She claimed Schelling was alive. On February 4, 2013, Schelling went to a local Walmart in the town of Pueblo, Colorado, where she planned to meet up with Lucas and tell him about her new pregnancy but according to interview footage taken in 2017, Lucas told investigators that the night had taken a different turn (via Fox 21 News). Weeks passed until police learned they needed to move quickly to catch Lucas. Its been over eight years since Laura Saxtons 21-year-old pregnant daughter Kelsie Schelling vanished. Before 6 p.m., Torres said Schelling texted Lucas, Then step up and make a relationship with me work. Saxton never met with Marcus at the McDonalds after Vancouver Police backed out of their involvement, believing it to be a scam. Schelling's body has never been found. Late in the afternoon on March 8, a Pueblo County jury issued a guilty verdict in the trial of Donthe Lucas, who'd been charged with killing his pregnant girlfriend, Denver's Kelsie . Strangely enough, around the same time, the family of another missing woman 1,200 miles away in Portsmouth, Ohio, had been receiving similar messages. Police say her death does not appear to be related to the trial, but instead a possible result of domestic violence. Just wait and see for yourself, you probably wouldnt believe me if I told you anyway, so you can see for yourself.. [That was] where he seemingly intended to board a flight to Tucson, and the concern was once he got to Arizona that he may take other efforts to meet friends in Mexico.. So-called jailhouse snitches are often considered to be not credible as jurors often ask what that witness may have received in return for testifying. Binet also said Lucas did not at any point tell him hed dropped Schellings vehicle off at St. Mary-Corwin, nor did he mention that he had used Schellings debit card to withdraw money from her account. Her last confirmed text message was sent to Lucas at 11:18 p.m. We know that that's his phone. Thankfully I had a great team. No one had been charged two years after Schelling disappeared and, because authorities had not found a body, it was still classified as a missing persons case.
Donthe Lucas Now: Where Is Kelsie Schelling's Ex Today? - Heavy.com Sara Lucas says she only met her son's girlfriend. Schelling, Tatesaid, checked the box indicating just one. The defense pushed a narrative that Schelling was addicted to drugs. Privacy Policy | The next day, Schellings father tried to get in touch with her and received a strange text waving him off.
Murder of Kelsey Smith - Wikipedia The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. But their star witness, who would have allegedly testified that Donthe confessed the killing to her, couldnt make it to court as she was shot to death just days before. Lucas was sentenced to. If the offender is used to having the victim take care of them and be focused on them and dancing around to be sure the offender is doing OK, if now, suddenly, thats not happening, that can lead to an escalation, Walker said. Her phone, according to Torres and Eicher, was also never recorded as having left Pueblo. Donthe Isiah Lucas pleaded not guilty to the charge against him in 2018. Since meeting in 2010 as students at a junior college in Colorado, Kelsie Schelling and Donthe Lucas purportedly had a fraught relationship, one which allegedly turned abusive on the part of Lucas, according to Schelling's friends and relatives (via Fox 21 News). As difficult as it was, its not impossible. I felt like he did genuinely develop feelings for me and did genuinely fall in love with me. According to Lucas' account,the couple drank alcohol together and used marijuana and cocaine that night, the latter of which Lucas alleged was a surprise gift to Schelling. In December 2017, almost four years after Schelling's disappearance, Lucas was charged with her murder. Hours later she vanished. He said they got in an argument and he exited her vehicle, but Schelling stayed in Pueblo that night. If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Lately shes been like threatening to leave to California. In February 2013, Kelsie Schelling was very happy to find out she was eight weeks pregnant, according to ABC News. Their argument continued through texts beyond 4 a.m. MORE:Lucas trial day 1: Former inmate testifies Lucas admitted guilt to the murder, Later that morning, Torres read texts from Schelling to Lucas that said, Im sorry for hanging up on you over and over. Roxann Martinez was shot and killed at the intersection of E. Kenyon Dr. and S. Wabash St. at 11 p.m. on Feb 25. Forget Im pregnant, seriously., Just before 3 a.m., according to Torres testimony, Schelling texted Lucas, You dont have to be in a relationship with me. Torres detailed a text from Lucas to Schelling just before noon that said, Um, yeah you can if you werent scared to get fired. He said Lucas confessed to the killing. However, due to technical difficulties, nobody in the public or the reporters pool could see or hear what was said or asked. This verdict came after the prosecutors shined a light on Donthes relationship with Kelsie and argued that he lured her to Pueblo to kill her after learning about the pregnancy.
Kelsie Schelling Murder: Donthe Lucas Trial Set To Begin Monday Prosecutors said he also admitted to that in 2017. She had just seen her unborn child on an ultrasound, and she sent that photo to her on-again/off-again boyfriend. You heard from Detective Kevin Torres how important the first 48 hours of an investigation are, and this defendant had 264, Chostner told the jury in closing arguments. Torres said Lucas never took the car to Denver. Lucas was arrested on Feb. 15, 2013 for felony identity theft for using Schellings debit card. Lucas told Binet he and Schelling had not been on the best terms in recent months, as they wanted different things. I still have nowhere to go to take her flowers, to go sit and talk with her, take her balloons on her birthday, go to her on the holidays. @KOAA, Kelsie Schelling's mother is called to the stand again. She was reportedly on her way from Denver to Pueblo to discuss the pregnancy with Lucas. It said, "Where are you? Su gemela permanece en grave estado, Ahora puedes vivir en un crucero por US$ 30.000 por ao. It's not guilty. So it's a strong message.. It was tense because the time was ticking away, and the tires were turning on the road, Chostner said. Schelling's body has never been found, but she is presumed dead. Lucas said hed informed Schelling during their visit that he did not want to be in a relationship with her. There's no single person other than the defendant in 2017, who's saying that [Schelling] was into drugs and that she was a party girl, McCarthy said. No one.. What if she is still out there somewhere? Saxton said. Megan Lancaster, then 25, had disappeared just months after Schelling. Kelsie Schelling disappearance: Second witness says she became intimate with Donthe Lucas They continued to press Lucas about the vehicle, and he several times denied moving it after parking it. Love you Donthe.. He was the first person who listened to me like I wasnt a crazy person, said Laura Saxton, Kelsies mother, He gave me hope when I didnt have any.. You dont have to marry me. Around that time, Torres said, is when Schellings car was parked at the South Side Walmart, as evidenced by surveillance video of the parking lot. Eight years after his girlfriend went missing, a Colorado man has been convicted of first-degree murder in her death. When police questioned Lucas, he told them that the morning after they met, he took Schelling to the Parkview Medical Center and hinted she had a miscarriage there. Criminal defense attorney Danielle Iredale joins host Ana Garcia. It was now up to the jury to make a decision. Asked by Binet if he had any idea where Schelling might be, Lucas replied, Shes been saying shes going to go back to California and get her job and get back with her ex-boyfriend.. Lucas had pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. We're working on getting clarification on that issue. Scheels says, yes! The.
Kelsie Schelling: Found or Missing? Is She Alive or Dead? - The Cinemaholic Torres is largely credited for compiling the case to arrest him. Dont text me. Though it was likely frustrating and painful for Kelsies family, he believes it led to a successful conviction. I mean, it's a sad story. Born February 18, 1991, the 21-year-old from Denver, Colorado, was eight weeks pregnant when she decided to visit her boyfriend, Donthe Lucas, at the Home of Heroes in Pueblo. Yet, in November 2017, he confessed to being the one who had abandoned her vehicle at the St. Mary-Corwin hospital, where it was eventually found. Chieftain reporter Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@chieftain.com or on Twitter @ZachHillstrom, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The prosecution asked Binet if Lucas had told Sinnema in their Feb. 9 conversation about Schelling calling him from the private number that same day. DENVER - A Pueblo County jury found Donthe Lucas guilty Monday of first-degree murder in the 2013 death of his girlfriend, Kelsie Schelling, after just a few hours of deliberations. We didn't have any of that.. His trial finally began in February 2021, and he was ultimately convicted of the crime, receiving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. 17 Jan 2023 Amber: The Girl Behind the Alert (2023 film) . I mean, who wants that for their child to be the final resting place? Schellings friends said they remembered her relationship with Lucas was often tumultuous, with the two constantly fighting and making up -- then the unthinkable happened. [3] Overview [ edit] Warner Bros. Entertainment | Editor's note: A previous version of this story said Rivera testified that Lucas specifically admitted to killing Kelsie Schelling. At this point, News5's Colette Bordelon said the prosecution admitted a picture taken of the dash of the car through Saxton. She texts him at 10:20 p.m., saying shes arrived and Lucas replies that hell be there shortly.
JDK-8141210 : Very slow loading of JavaScript file with recent JDK Lucas pleaded not guilty to the murder charges in August 2018, and the judge set a trial date for 2019. [He said] that [she] was his best friend and he had nothing to do with it, and then he would just shut down and start crying hysterically and get upset, Suhr said. Schelling, 21, went missing in 2013 after driving from Denver to Pueblo to see Lucas. In addition to this, Schelling's phone records indicated a call was made from her cell to a woman who Schelling reportedly didn't know, and whom Lucas was romantically involved with even though Lucas could not explain the call. Great now., Sara Lucas asked Donthe, Shes not pregnant?, He responded: Nothing. Love you, too.. He asks her to skip work and come to Pueblo to get him and they continue to argue. Morning Forecast 10:50 a.m.: Opening statements wrapped up from prosecutors and Donthe Lucas' defense. Still A Mystery. However McCarthy said, there was no deals made about charges he would get to plead to, time he would get to serve. Schelling's body hasn't been found. Donthe Lucas was charged with killing his 21-year-old girlfriend, Kelsie Schelling, who was pregnant at the time.
ABC 20/20: Mom fights to bring pregnant daughter Kelsie Schelling's The website gives the following. PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV . Now that she is gone, Ive had to turn into a fighter, Saxton told 20/20.. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. That was dumb and I apologize. Just wait and see for yourself, Lucas allegedly says in the texts.