GREELEY, Colo.—Heather Garraus was leaving work last year when someone in a black mask ordered her to her knees and shot her twice in the head.
On Tuesday, a woman who police say had been jilted by Garraus’ husband goes on trial on a murder charge, accused of killing Garraus on Jan. 23, 2007.
Shawna Nelson, a former Weld County sheriff’s dispatcher, faces life in prison without parole if she is convicted.
Nelson—who was married—had a longtime affair with Garraus’ husband, former Greeley police officer Ignacio Garraus, according to court documents.
That affair produced a son, but Ignacio Garraus ended the relationship in December 2006, according to arrest warrant affidavits.
Nelson has denied any involvement with the crime, the affidavits say.
According to court documents, Nelson wanted Ignacio Garraus to leave his wife so the two of them could live with their son as a family. Nelson’s husband, Ken Nelson, told investigators that Ignacio Garraus was “reluctant to accept custody of the child.”
Five weeks before the murder, Shawna Nelson sent Ignacio Garraus a text message warning him to “Be prepared,” according to information presented at a pretrial hearing.
“My loyalty is gone,” the Dec. 18, 2006, message read. “I loved u and trusted you and u (expletive) me.”
Ken Nelson, a Weld County sheriff’s deputy at the time of the shooting, has been charged with evidence tampering for allegedly handling the gun that police believe was used to kill Heather Garraus.
Investigators suspect Ken Nelson took the gun after stopping his wife’s pickup and talking to her shortly after the slaying. They say he later turned it in.
Ken Nelson had resigned from the sheriff’s department before his arrest.
Ignacio Garraus resigned from the police force a few weeks after his wife was killed.
