Vernice Griffin was diagnosed in January with cancer and given less than four months to live.
Ten months later, Griffin is hanging on, and one of her strongest wishes is to testify next week against Brian Washington, the man investigators say fired a gun at her while she was in her vehicle, then killed an Aurora police detective, Mike Thomas, two days later.
“I wish to see him prosecuted,” the 55-year-old Griffin said in an affidavit filed in Denver District Court.
Because Washington’s prosecution may take several months or longer, Griffin said she needs to give a videotaped statement Tuesday because she might not be available for future hearings or a trial.
Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the Denver district attorney’s office, praised Griffin’s strength.
“She is thoughtful, courageous and she has managed to keep a sense of humor in spite of what she has been through,” Kimbrough said.
Thomas, 52, a 24-year police veteran, was killed Sept. 20 while in his car at East Montview Boulevard and Peoria Street. He was in civilian clothes and driving his own vehicle.
Two days earlier, according to court documents, Griffin was driving her sport utility vehicle when she stopped at East 33rd Avenue and Pontiac Street.
Washington was crossing in front of her when he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Griffin, according to the grand jury indictment against him.
“No, no!” Griffin yelled, then lunged to her right to duck down, the indictment states.
At that point, investigators say, Washington fired, and the bullet smashed through the windshield, singed Griffin’s hair and lodged in the back passenger compartment.
Griffin said she saw Washington come to the passenger door, according to the indictment. Washington then aimed again at Griffin, who accelerated and sped away, investigators said.
In the attack against Griffin, Washington, 27, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
Washington is scheduled to be arraigned in court next week, and the judge has scheduled Griffin’s deposition to follow.
According to the Denver grand jury, a witness identified Washington as the man who fired shots at Griffin.
When Griffin was shown a photo lineup, she said Washington’s photo “looks most like the suspect.”
Staff writer Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
