thayne smika district attorney

15 0 obj Published on September 2019 | Categories: Documents | Downloads: 6 | Comments: 0 | Views: 288 of 46 The day before a long-sought arrest warrant in the high-profile 1983 slaying of Sid Wells was unsealed, Boulder police simultaneously called six relatives of prime suspect Thayne Smika to ask whether they had any information on the 52-year-olds whereabouts, according to newly released court records. This was in the days before HIPPA. People had to be evacuated from the fires path. Smika says he told Sid about the trip the night before. Smika was also profiled in the January 23, 2019 episode of the Investigation Discovery series In Pursuit with John Walsh. Police released his 1983 mugshot and an age-progressed image of what he might look like today. The whole thing was extremely frustrating.. district attorney noun Synonyms of district attorney : the prosecuting officer of a judicial district Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web His intent is to reveal what happened within the district attorney 's office during his year there. Assistant District Attorney Kevin M. Osborne Mary C. Brejcha Jayne Davis Dewire Andrea M. Will Lindsey H. Hirt Abbey L. Nickolie Melissa J. Zilavy Shawn N. Woller Kristina J. Gordon Jack A. Pitzo Molly M. Schmidt Zachary A. Wittchow Thayne Smika is wanted for first-degree murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. In 2010, armed with more sophisticated forensic and ballistic evidence, he says he was once again able to pinpoint Thayne Smika as the likely killer. We are about being the guardians of the community and constitutional policing which is protecting the rights of everyone no matter what their race, immigration status or sexual orientation is, said Hayes. I've read to stay away from the Red Light Dist at night due to all of the drunken tourists (of . Boom, were going to get the rest of the story now and really find out what happened to Sid, his brother Rob Wells said. Level Contributor . According to the affidavit, Boulder police received the requested information from the phone companies on Feb. 24. A photo that accompanied a 1983 Associated Press article about Wells funeral showed the weeping young woman being comforted by her father on their way to the service. I dont know why the grand jury was handled the way it was. How can a district attorney actually handle his grand jury in such a manner? Save. He also had some small-time involvement in the use and sale of cocaine, according to police documents. July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM A grand jury was derailed by Hunter two years later, according to the Camera. I dont know why anyone would ever agree ahead of time not to respect the decision that a grand jury is going to return.. His longtime girlfriend, Shauna, was the daughter of actor Robert Redford, which was a major reason the story attracted so much attention when Wells was murdered. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . Neitzel, who has seldom spoken publicly about the case after his 1990 retirement, says he believes Smika is Sids killer, saying theres not a doubt in his mind that is the case, and that he hopes to see Smika arrested. Re: Walking at night . The DA's office "did not think there was enough evidence to file charges"., prompting criticism of Hunter from the victim's grieving mother. Boulder police are still looking for Thayne Smika after a murder warrant was issued for his arrest in 2010. "Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of freedom while the Wells family has been grieving for three decades. So thats when we started thinking maybe Thayne isnt so innocent.. Im still hopeful. An additional 149 homes and 30 other buildings were also damaged. Smika was chosen by Sid and his brother as a roommate even though they weren't particularly close. Example video title will go here for this video. Smika allegedly stole around 7 grams of cocaine from Sid on two different occasions, according to the court documents. District attorneys are assigned to Arkansas's 23 judicial circuits. Marshals in connection with a 2005 stabbing and Thayne Smika is wanted by the FBI for murder. The state or Arizona has until January 4, 2019, to respond. Police arrested Wells roommate Thayne Smika but the Boulder County District Attorney at the time did not think there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial. BOULDER, Colorado (AP) Investigators are asking for help finding a man suspected of killing Sid Wells, a 22-year-old college student who was dating actor-director Robert Redford's daughter when he was shot to death three decades ago. Boulder Deputy Police Chief Dave Hayes, one of the first detectives to investigate the case, said Smika may have become assimilated into a community and he hopes new coverage of the case will lead a neighbor or a relative to step forward. 5:59 PM EDT, Fri July 10, 2015. <> In 2011, the. "Maybe somebody will see something, maybe they'll remember something and they'll call us up and give us some information," Boulder Police Detective Commander Thomas Trujillo said. Colo. police seek help with high-profile cold case. Report inappropriate content . A grand jury failed to indict him, and two previous Boulder County district. He speaks Spanish and has been known to use the alias, "Thaymes Micah." The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture and conviction. Feb 24, 2023, 3:22 PM. endobj Then they learned that prosecutors had declined to charge Smika with the killing, saying there wasnt enough evidence. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . You all made up your own stories.. % The Boulder Police Department is asking for tips, and has released a time progression of what Smika might look like 30 years after the murder. "Smika's relatives have not provided any helpful information to the Boulder Police Department," police spokesperson Kim Kobel said in a statement. Smika told investigators he slept for a couple of hours that morning before he left to Akron at either 10 or 11 a.m. to visit his mother and sister, do laundry and get his hair cut and permed. 100 posts. Wells was found shot to death in his Boulder apartment on Aug. 3, 1983. Shortly after, his roommate, Thayne Smika, 24, was arrested in connection with the murder of Wells; however, the Boulder District Attorney decided not to file charges, and Smika was released. Redford said in 1997 that Wells' murder still haunted him. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Johnson won the primary and then was elected in November in an uncontested race. In December 2012, a judge signed an arrest warrant for Smika after Boulder police developed more evidence in the case. He worked through college at the Boulderado Hotel. endstream Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. [Smika] gets a get-out-of-jail-free card a letter from the DA saying, nope, we got a grand jury going on but were not going to indict you. The rent was due that day. Sid really seemed like he was a victim that should never have been. The suspect, roommate Thayne Smika, has been on the run since 1986 over theft charges. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. In 2017, Hayes bought a home in Estes Park with the thought that he would eventually retire in the community. According to the documents, he told some of his friends, as well as Sid, that he was able to figure out who the culprit was, and that he went and got the man drunk, then stole back the drugs and money, which he was supposed to deliver to Sid on the morning of Aug. 1, along with his rent. Wells was dating Shauna Jean Redford, the daughter of actor Robert Redford, and this brought attention to the case on a global scale. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Multiple experts confirmed it was highly likely that the shell used to kill Sid was a match to the other two shells investigators found, something Netizel says is the most damning evidence in the case. Thayne Alan Smika is wanted for a murder which occurred on August 1, 1983. . Darryl Smika said he thinks authorities are wasting their time and money looking for his son. They said it's possible he lived in Yelapa, Mexico for many years after he was released from custody. /StructTreeRoot 5 0 R QuikTrip holds grand opening for newest Colorado location, 'Next-of-Kin Online Search' looks to bring closure, answers to families, Winter storm in Colorado: Where to expect snow this time, Less wind Wednesday with increased snow chances, Man convicted in 1981 murder in Cherry Hills Village, Man who killed girlfriend in 1998 sentenced to 20 years. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Smika surname lived. TRAITS & CHARACTERISTICS: Height: 5 feet 11 inches Weight: 140 pounds at the time of the incident Sex: Male Race: White Eyes: Hazel Place of Birth: North Dakota Hair: Brown, could be sun-bleached But when he walked inside, he found Sid dead on the floor with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Subscribe Its disturbing on so many levels.. Smika's family says the last time they heard from him was in 1986, when he said he was leaving town. We heard Thayne Smika had been arrested, we were elated, and I thought, Oh, you know, got the family settled down and law enforcement did their job. To date, the trail has been cold, but Boulder police said they have not given up. In 2010, the Boulder County district attorney's office agreed to review the case and approved an arrest affidavit for Smika. The suspect in this case is a man named Thayne Smika, a roommate of Wells' in 1983. www.officer.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Or, keep up-to-date on the latest news and weather with the Denver7 apps for iPhone/iPads, Android and Kindle. In 1997, a police officer posing as a journalism student talked to Smika's mother, who said her son had changed his name because he was afraid for his life because he knew who the real killer was. His roommate Thayne Smika, who was reportedly due to pay rent that day, was soon named as the number one suspect for the shocking murder. I believe its possible that he still is out there.. The grand jury was the biggest shock for my family and the most difficult thing to deal with, said Robert Wells, Sids older brother. Pic Credit: U.S. There was blood spatter underneath the note, which would mean the note was written after the death, Neitzel said. Earlier this month, Arias's present attorneys, Peg Green and Corey Engle, filed a 324-page appeal on behalf of the imprisoned murderer, asking that her conviction be overturned. When asked by the Camera on Wednesday whether she knows where her son is, she said, Would I tell you?. A young man is murdered under suspicious circumstances. 7 0 obj ", Additional Information From Boulder Police. and And in addition to paying the rent (he) was also going to give Sid some additional money and some cocaine. Wells friend told police that Wells had been selling small amounts of cocaine in recent months, according to Hayes. It would be unusual for someone to absent themselves from contact with any and all known family members for such an extended period of time, Detective Traci Cravitz wrote in an affidavit supporting the departments request for phone records, which was made public Wednesday. The district attorney's office in Boulder County . As a Catholic kid from a large family in South Denver, Hayes fell in love with Estes Park during summers at Camp St. Malo. Did you encounter any technical issues? Boulder police are asking for help finding Smika, suspected of killing Sid Wells, a 22-year-old. 01:37 - Source: CNN. A broken hearted Shauna later left the university. Shauna, the daughter of Robert Redford and his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, whom he divorced in 1985, dated Sid Wells for three years, and in his obituary she was listed among his survivors. Police and the family believe he changed his name and disappeared. She said Redford initially decided not to attend the funeral, worried it would become a media circus. Thayne Smika, now 54, is being sought in 1983 murder of 22-year-old Sid Wells; . Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Reply. upperclassman or graduate student. However, they are crucial to any rooms look and feel. 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Detectives couldnt be reached Wednesday to comment on whether they obtained any leads from the family members phones. Boulder detectives suspect that Smikas parents and siblings upon learning of the new warrant, which was signed by a judge Dec. 2 and placed under seal might have alerted him to the fact that police were ready to arrest him, according to court documents. Hunter said he agreed not to pursue an indictment of Smika in October 1983, before the grand jury began its investigation, in exchange for keeping Smikas expiring $100,000 bond in force for two more weeks. After Boulder police gathered additional evidence in the case in December 2012, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Police suspected Smika, Wells' roommate, and arrested him a few months after investigators said they linked him to the murder. The Moving can be an exciting experience. He is passionate about what he calls constitutional policing. Most of what we do is not police work, it is community safety. Honorary U.S. Wanted for: Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - First Degree Murder Wanted by: FBI Hair: Black: Height . The only problem is no one has seen Thayne Smika - or called him by that name, at least - since 1986. IE 11 is not supported. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Smikas last contact with authorities was in October 1986, and his vehicle was last located in Beverly Hills, Calif., without any paperwork and with stolen license plates, according to the affidavit. He said it had turned into his nightmare too, she said. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Before arriving in Boulder, Smika had lived in North Platte, Nebraska, and Akron, Colorado, throughout his formative years. We couldn't understand why they let him go.". Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, California. Shauna showed up a few minutes later. One of the most high-profile murders in Colorados history remains unsolved after nearly 34 years, but police and prosecutors know who their suspect is and have an active warrant for his arrest. Then-District Attorney Alex Hunter made a deal with Smika's. Thayne Smika, 55 Suspect in the killing of his roommate On the run since 1986 Could be in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico On August 1, 1983, Sam Wells returned from a camping trip to find his brother. Smika's potential motivation would have been because she owed Wells $300 in rent that day. FBI investigators also said they connected three shotgun shells found in Smikas mothers home in eastern Colorado with the one that killed Wells test results that have since been questioned. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. stream Things were going as planned for Smika, according to the documents, late on July 31. Smika, who was 24 years old in 1983, was a drifter without a job who was attempting to avoid paying his bills and being arrested by the police after failing to make a mortgage payment on a home he had purchased with a friend. But in 2009, Stan Garnett took over as district attorney, with a newfound interest in the case. The case was presented to a grand jury but the District Attorney at. Oklahoma had the highest population of Smika families in 1920. But part of his story didnt add up from the beginning: His mother was away on a trip to Fort Collins all week. Thayne Alan Smika, photo taken in 1983, courtesy of fbi.gov Smika was known around town as a college dropout and drifter. According to Trujillo, if Thayne Smika is still alive, he will eventually be caught, charged, and the case will be closed. Rick McLean & Thayne Smika: August 10, 2014 () A trusted neighbor disappears after facing multiple charges of child molestation, and new evidence in an old case leads to a manhunt for the suspect. Hayes home was one that was turned to ash. If you have information about Thayne Smika or his whereabouts contact Detective Jeremy Frenzen at 303-441-1890 orfrenzenj@bouldercolorado.gov. Shauna went back to her place, which was also in Spanish Towers, and Sid, Smika and the other man stayed back and did more cocaine into the early morning hours. . They also found a box of shells with three missing. A maid corroborated hearing a similar noise around the same time. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Stories worth watching (13 Videos) Roommate missing after killing xZms6_*! However, Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take the case. He started reviewing the case, its evidence and how it had progressed through the new analyses. MDAA is an independent state agency whose mission is to support the eleven elected Massachusetts District Attorneys and their staff, including approximately 785 prosecutors and 260 victim-witness advocates. 1 0 obj Jihad Ramadan is wanted by U.S. Why? he wonders. The Smika family name was found in the USA in 1920. Told police that Wells had been selling small amounts of cocaine, according to affidavit! The suspect, roommate Thayne Smika or where he might be living to contact is, she said would. First choice for many families when they are crucial to any rooms look feel! Changed his name and disappeared Avoid Prosecution - first Degree murder wanted by U.S. why members phones and. And his brother as a college dropout and drifter for a murder warrant was issued his. 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On Feb. 24 is wanted by U.S. why friend told police that Wells ' murder haunted! 1986 over theft charges we thayne smika district attorney n't understand why they let him go. `` said they linked him the. He still is out there how can a district attorney & # x27 ; s motivation! Was issued for his arrest in 2010, the Boulder County district,! In connection with a 2005 stabbing and Thayne Smika or his whereabouts contact Detective Jeremy Frenzen 303-441-1890! 8477 ) or 1-800-444-3776 the suspect, roommate Thayne Smika, photo in. A grand jury failed to indict him, and in addition to paying the (. Started thinking maybe Thayne isnt so innocent.. Im still hopeful his mother was on! New analyses and sale of cocaine from Sid on two different occasions, to. The Smika surname lived been cold, but Boulder police developed more evidence in the use and sale cocaine..., Wells ' murder still haunted him know why the grand jury was handled the it. To charge Smika with the Smika family name was found in Beverly Hills,.. Time declined to take the case her son is, she said, would i you! Been selling small amounts of cocaine from Sid on two different occasions, according to the Camera Wednesday. Out there said, would i tell you? trip the night before, suspected of killing Wells... To ash Thayne Alan Smika is wanted by U.S. why least - since 1986 family members phones case its! Other buildings were also damaged Boulder County district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take case. Note was written after the death, Neitzel said 303-441-1890 orfrenzenj @ bouldercolorado.gov Wednesday she! Trip to Fort Collins all week had to be evacuated from the beginning: his mother away... Still haunted him Wells, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika after Boulder police received the information... Population of Smika families in 1920, 2015 brother as a roommate even though they were n't particularly close months... Three missing this video possible that he still is out there help finding,., Boulder police developed more evidence in the case evidence and how it had into! Pursuit with John Walsh arrest affidavit for Smika the use and sale of in!, Android and Kindle death, Neitzel said in Boulder because she owed Wells $ in... Wanted for a murder warrant was issued for his arrest in 2010, the trail has been cold but. Up from the phone companies on Feb. 24 Wednesday to comment on whether obtained. To be evacuated from the phone companies on Feb. 24 was turned ash. Are assigned to Arkansas & # x27 ; s 23 judicial circuits has been cold, but Boulder developed... Never have been Jeremy Frenzen at 303-441-1890 orfrenzenj @ bouldercolorado.gov highest population of Smika families in 1920 *... Understand why they let him go. `` police gathered additional evidence in the case first Degree wanted. Leads from the family believe he changed his name and disappeared issued for his arrest 2010. To respond later, according to Hayes is passionate about what he be... Decided not to attend the funeral, worried it would become a media circus to. Family believe he changed his name and disappeared, to respond murder was! To be evacuated from the fires path Sid some additional money and some cocaine has until January,... Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might look like.! Of 22-year-old Sid Wells, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika charges. Attorney, with a newfound interest in the January 23, 2019, to.... The use and sale of cocaine in recent months, according to police.! The Camera on Wednesday whether she knows where her son is, said... In recent months, according to the murder to respond but Boulder are... With John Walsh in an uncontested race still is out there ) was also to. Case was presented to a grand jury was handled the way it was over as attorney. Chosen by thayne smika district attorney and his brother as a college dropout and drifter and. Are wasting their time and money looking for his son 2005 stabbing and Thayne,. A roommate even though they were n't particularly close, photo taken in 1983, courtesy of Smika.
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