COLORADO SPRINGS — Accused cop-killer Jereme Lamberth acted in self-defense when he shot an undercover Colorado Springs police detective in the face nearly two years ago, a public defender said during opening statements Friday in the man’s first-degree-murder trial.
Sheilagh McAteer said Lamberth believed he was in imminent physical danger when Detective Jared Jensen, 30, tried to arrest him Feb. 22, 2006.
Prosecutor Diana May said Lamberth knew he was wanted by police for attempted murder and he took “deliberate steps and calculated acts” to avoid detection.
McAteer said Jensen, dressed in a red sweat shirt and jeans, came up from behind Lamberth, who was sitting on a bus bench, and tried to drag him off. She said Jensen did not display his badge, did not identify himself as a police officer and violated numerous officer safety policies.
Lamberth was wanted for stabbing his sister six times Feb. 2, 2006. McAteer said Lamberth was terrified his sister’s boyfriend would retaliate.
“This individual came up from behind and started to drag him away. He reached around, pulled out the gun and shot him,” McAteer said. “Mr. Lamberth was protecting himself using deadly physical force.”
Prosecutor May said that an expert will testify during the trial that a drop of blood found on Jensen’s badge will indicate the badge was “out at the time he was shot.”
After he stabbed his sister, Lamberth immediately went on the run.
“He knows they’re coming. He knows they’re looking for him,” May said, describing Lamberth’s actions over the next few days.
The day after the stabbing, five minutes after his bank opened, Lamberth withdrew $1,100 from his account and purchased a .44-caliber Red Ruger revolver. On Feb. 4, 2006, a newspaper printed a story indicating Lamberth was wanted for attempted murder. That news article was found in his wallet on the day of his arrest.
On Feb. 6, Lamberth purchased a box of .44-caliber ammunition and on Feb. 9, he bought numerous items from Wal-Mart, including hygiene items and a tent. Instead of traveling in his 1989 Ford Bronco, Lamberth took the bus.
He had a friend go to his employer to pick up a paycheck and wore a full-face ski mask when he tried to cash it at a liquor store minutes before the shooting.
May said Detective Jensen called out on his radio, saying “I’ll be out with him in just a second” and he could see a city bus approaching from the west. She said prosecutors cannot say what transpired in the next 45 seconds — the time between Jensen’s last radio call and the first call to 911.
The first caller to 911 said: “It’s a cop and he’s dead.” The call, said May, was another indication Jensen’s badge was around his neck at the time of the shooting.
May said the first shot killed Jensen and then Lamberth leaned over his body and fired a second shot, which grazed his nose.
Erin Emery: 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com
