Arapahoe County – An Arapahoe County magistrate on Tuesday temporarily dismissed an attempt by the father of a missing Aurora girl to get a detective’s investigative notes.
Aaron Thompson, through his attorney, wanted the reports and notes by Aurora police Detective Randy Hansen, the lead investigator in the possible homicide of Aaroné Thompson.
Thompson’s subpoena called for copies of interviews conducted with six children of Thompson’s and his girlfriend, Shelley Lowe. Those children, ages 8 to 15, were removed from the home Nov. 17.
Assistant City Attorney Rob Werking said the homicide investigation is a potential death- penalty case, and revealing the information about the investigation would damage its integrity.
The motion to quash the subpoena said Thompson is in a “unique position” to assist the investigation. Instead, the motion says, he has “chosen a course of action that is inconsistent with finding his daughter.”
“Clearly, the Police Department will not release the investigative notes to a party who has not cooperated,” Werking said to the media afterward.
A procedural error forced Magistrate Jeffrey K. Holmes to throw out the subpoena. Thomp son’s attorney, Terraine Bailey, failed to include fees to reimburse Aurora’s attorney for transportation and attending the hearing, as required by law.
Bailey has until 48 hours before a Dec. 22 hearing to resubmit the subpoena.
The judge’s decision was made before a child-custody hearing, at which Thompson appeared with his attorney.
Lowe was apparently still in a hospital after giving birth to a girl over the weekend. The baby was placed in state custody.
Lynette Thompson, the mother of Aaroné and Aaron Jr., was represented by an attorney.
“I am attempting to get my son,” she said from Detroit. “No one should have more custody than me. Do you think the grandparents are capable? They’re too busy thinking their son is innocent.”
The Rev. Acen Phillips, the family spokesman, said relatives of the children want custody, including Aaron Thompson’s mother and stepfather.
Arapahoe County social worker Tamra White declined to comment on the case.
Police believe Aaroné, who would turn 7 today, was killed – possibly 18 months ago.
Thompson reported his daughter’s disappearance Nov. 14. He made the call hours after a caseworker had made an annual visit. Police looked for the girl for more than 48 hours before receiving a tip that she was dead.
“It’s got to be devastating for a father to watch his home crumble,” Phillips said. “I’m just hoping they can keep looking for this child. We’re hoping everyone will keep looking for the child.”
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
