What could be Greeley’s most outrageous murder trial in recent memory is set to begin Feb. 19, when Shawna Nelson faces allegations that she shot and killed romantic rival Heather Garraus, the wife of her police-officer lover.
Weld County District Judge Roger Klein today set the new trial date at the request of Nelson’s defense team, who said they needed more time to examine new revelations in the case.
Nelson’s best friend — former Weld County deputy Michelle Moore — was arrested this week on charges that she helped plot with Nelson to kill Garraus in January.
The victim was married to Ignacio Garraus, who carried on a two-year affair with Nelson that produced a baby boy. Nelson was married to Ken Nelson, a sheriff’s investigator, who faces charges that he tried to get rid of evidence implicating his wife in the killing.
Both Ignacio Garraus and Ken Nelson have left their old jobs. A pre-trial hearing is set Jan. 25.
The two-week trial will be in Larimer County, where Klein hopes a jury can be empaneled that has not been tainted by the massive publicity the case has drawn.
