ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — An Adams County jury convicted Jeremy Rocha on multiple counts Friday, including first-degree murder and attempted murder related to the shooting death of volunteer firefighter John Jaros during a street racing incident in June 2022.
Jeremy Rocha, now 22, was arrested and charged in Jaros' killing five days after the shooting. Closing arguments in his trial in Adams County District Court were Friday morning, and the jury began deliberations about 11 a.m.
Just before 3 p.m., the verdict was read. Rocha was found guilty of one count of second-degree murder, a conviction of a lesser charge of first-degree murder after deliberation. The jury also convicted him on one count of first-degree murder - extreme indifference and four counts of attempted murder related to family members who were in the truck with Jaros.
Rocha took the stand at the end of the trial and claimed the shooting was in self-defense.
Jaros, a Glen Haven volunteer firefighter, was shot and killed while driving with his wife and children on Interstate 70 near Tower Road. They had planned to go camping for Father's Day weekend.
Rocha, now 22, had purchased the white Mustang he was driving that day. He met up with friends at a Maverik gas station, a known spot for car enthusiasts. Rocha then drove on I-70 with three other drivers. Two cars were taking up two lanes to slow down traffic and create enough space on the interstate to race.
Rocha said he was racing against a driver in a black Chevrolet Camaro and, shortly after they had started, a white truck — driven by Jaros — went around the cars that were slowing down traffic.
Jaros' wife said she heard at least four gunshots and saw her husband slump over. John Jaros had been hit in the head, according to the arrest affidavit in the case.
Rocha was charged with:
- 2 counts of first-degree murder
- 4 counts of criminal attempted first-degree murder
- Sentence enhancer: crime of violence
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