Slain Denver police Officer Bruce VanderJagt’s widow, Anna, displayed great courage and humanity in accepting and supporting a plea bargain to allow Lisl Auman to gain her freedom.
Officer VanderJagt was fatally shot by Matthaeus Jaehnig after the burglary of a former Auman boyfriend’s room in a boarding house and a high-speed chase. Jaehnig committed suicide after shooting the officer.
Auman’s felony murder conviction and life sentence were overturned earlier this year by the state Supreme Court. At her sentencing to 20 years in community corrections on Monday, Auman, in prison nearly eight years, finally took responsibility for her actions.
“I believe that acceptance is a large part of healing, and I am determined to heal and move forward,” Anna VanderJagt told the court. “My only hope is that Lisl will take this opportunity and make a productive life for herself. It’s her turn to come to terms with the role she played in Bruce’s death, admit it and move forward.”
We, too, hope that Auman proves worthy of such magnanimity and mercy.
