DENVER — An Arapahoe County judge refused to issue a key jury instruction in a high-profile murder trial, which lowered the prosecution's burden of proof and prompted Colorado's second-highest court to overturn the defendant's conviction last month.
Lloyd Chavez IV, a student at Cherokee Trail High School, died in May 2019 after four teenagers attempted to rob him during a meetup to purchase vaping supplies. Demarea Mitchell was the one who fatally shot Chavez, but jurors also convicted Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos of felony murder.
Felony murder does not require that someone pull the trigger and cause another person's death. Instead, to be guilty of felony murder, someone need only participate in certain serious offenses, like robbery, in which a person happens to die.
> The video above aired in May 2019: 4 teens facing murder charges, accused of killing Centennial teen after a botched vape product robbery
> Top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER right now to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Investigations & Crime
9NEWS+
9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features.
To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA.
To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS.