ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — Jury selection began Monday morning in the trial of the man accused of killing Adams County Deputy Heath Gumm in January 2018.
Gumm, 31, was searching for a suspect related to an assault call on Jan. 24, 2018, when he was shot and killed. He is survived by his wife, Natasha, and had been a sheriff's deputy at the Adams County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) since 2012, according to the agency. He was posthumously promoted to detective.
Deputies responded to an assault call just before 7 p.m. on that January night in the 8700 block of Dawson Street, which is in a neighborhood just east of Interstate 25 and 88th Avenue.
When deputies arrived, they learned the assault suspect had left and they began a search for him. When they found someone matching his description, the ACSO said he ran from deputies, leading them behind a house.
The suspect, later identified as Dreion Dearing, then turned and fired on them, hitting Gumm in the chest, according to investigators.
Prosecutors announced previously that they're seeking the death penalty against Dearing. That comes despite the fact that the Colorado Legislature just gave final approval to Senate Bill 100, which repeals the death penalty in Colorado.
The bill still needs to be signed by Gov. Jared Polis, but he has indicated that he will do so. I would only apply to crimes charged on or after July 1, 2020. Currently, there are three men on death row in Colorado.
Jury selection is expected to continue for the next few weeks.
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