“Nagel”
Sponsor: Coloradans for Justice
Type: TV ad
Message: George Liapis assaulted an elderly woman and a child. When Bill Ritter was Denver district attorney, he reached a plea agreement with Liapis that resulted in no jail time. The woman’s son, Mike Nagel, says Ritter’s office promised not to plea-bargain with Liapis.
Facts: The case results from a domestic dispute. The elderly woman, who is not named in court records, is Liapis’ mother-in-law. Liapis is married to Nagel’s sister. On Aug. 29, 2003, Liapis was charged with third- degree assault of an at-risk adult, a felony for attacking a person older than 60.
The woman came to the Liapis home, 955 S. Havana St., to take Liapis’ 8-year- old son to school. She told police that Liapis punched her after becoming upset with his son over some unfinished homework. The arrest warrant states Liapis was holding his 1-year-old son and hit him.
After investigating the case, the district attorney’s office concluded that the woman’s injuries and a witness statement did not support the woman’s claim.
The DA’s office said it never promised not to seek a plea agreement with Liapis. In October 2004, Liapis pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree assault. He was ordered to pay $74.15 in restitution and was put on one year of probation.
According to court records, Liapis violated the terms of his probation by testing positive for cocaine in January 2005 and was sentenced to 60 days in jail beginning in January 2006.
– Mark P. Couch
