AURORA, Colo. — The trial of a former Greenwood Village police officer accused of killing a teenager starts on Tuesday, more than two years after the shooting on the night before Thanksgiving.
An arrest affidavit says Peyton Blitstein, 17, was shot at least four times during an exchange of gunfire with Adam Holen on the night of Nov. 24, 2021, outside a home in southeast Aurora. Blitstein died. Holen was shot in the hip and was treated and released from the hospital the next morning, according to court documents.
The case against Holen centers around a doorbell camera that shows an encounter Aurora Police say began with an argument over careless driving. The video captured the sound of gunshots between Holen and Peyton.
Peyton's father, Todd Blitstein, said he tries to avoid watching that video.
"But we all have listened to the beginning stages of it, and when we do hear it, it completely wrecks us," Blitstein said.
Two years later, Holen is going to trial this week in Arapahoe County on a charge of second-degree murder.
"We are finally there after two plus years, so the family is definitely on edge," Blitstein said.
In a police interview, Holen said there were issues with a car speeding through his neighborhood. He told police on the night of Nov. 24, 2021, that he had been visiting his mom's house and was driving home when that car "nearly crashed into him" and cut him off on Gun Club Road.
He told police he followed the car, the affidavit says. The car eventually stopped in front of a home on South Addison Way, which is the same street where Holen lives. Holen said he pulled up next to the car and yelled at the teens inside to stop speeding.
Investigators said they think Holen was the primary aggressor because he initiated contact with Peyton and his friends and chose not to drive away when things became more heated.
Afterward, Holen attempted to render aid to Peyton by assisting with CPR, the affidavit says.
In the two years since the shooting, the Blitstein family has been frustrated with the delays. Each day they have waited, Holen has been out of jail on bond.
"It doesn't matter if [Peyton] had a gun," Blitstein said. "He is defending his friends. And he didn't really have a choice."
Blitstein said he believes the video says it all, but it's up to a jury to decide whether Holen should be held responsible for a teen's death.
"We really want justice for Peyton," he said.
Jury selection starts Tuesday, and the trial is scheduled to go through next Thursday. The trial date had been bumped at least twice. It didn't happen earlier because Holen waived his right to a speedy trial.
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