FORT COLLINS — Jury selection in the murder trial of Shawna Nelson went slowly today as Larimer County District Judge Roger Klein interviewed individuals who claimed serving would be a hardship or had knowledge of the case through pre-trial publicity.
Klein had a pool of 132 citizens to choose from and spent much of the day talking to 40 about whether they could serve on the final panel, said Larimer district attorney spokeswoman Linda Jensen.
Klein will talk to 40 more Wednesday. A 12-member jury — with two alternates — may be picked by noon Thursday, Jensen said.
Nelson, 36, faces a first-degree murder charge and possible life in prison for allegedly gunning down 37-year-old Heather Garraus in Greeley on Jan. 23, 2007. Nelson, a former Weld County sheriff’s dispatcher, had an affair with Garraus’ husband — Greeley Police Officer Ignacio Garraus.
Prosecutors claim Nelson killed Heather Garraus after Ignacio Garraus decided to end their affair and not take responsibility for the child he and Nelson had together.
In the “best case” scenario, a jury could be picked by noon Wednesday, said Larimer District Attorney spokeswoman Linda Jensen. At least two weeks have been set aside for the trial, which was moved to Larimer from Weld County over conflict-of-interest concerns.
The murder case has so many tawdry angles that it left many residents in Weld County wondering about the integrity of those sworn to protect and serve.
It began with the execution-style slaying of Heather Garraus, an assistant manager of the Colorado State Employees Credit Union in Greeley, allegedly by Nelson.
The ensuing investigation soon unraveled a tale of illicit sex, jealousy, alleged coverups and threats of murder, all involving members of the Weld County sheriff’s and Greeley police departments.
“It’s taken a soap opera-like tone,” said University of Northern Colorado political science professor Steve Mazurana. “And it’s made many people question that maybe there is a lack of discipline in the sheriff’s department (and the Greeley police).”
“Sheriff’s deputies and police officers have to be purer than pure,” Mazurana said. “But these are human beings, and emotions like love and hate can interfere with one’s job.”
Nelson is married to Weld sheriff’s investigator Ken Nelson. The two have separated.
Shawna Nelson, investigators say, was angered that Ignacio Garraus wanted to break off his two- to three-year affair with her and not accept custody of the child born of the affair. She was so angered that she wanted to kill Heather Garraus, prosecutors say.
Nelson allegedly sent threatening messages to Ignacio Garraus including one on Dec. 18, 2006, which said: “I loved u and trusted you and u f… me. Be prepared.”
Nelson allegedly plotted with former Weld deputy Michelle Moore to kill Heather Garraus. Prosecutors also are expected to show that Nelson had a pattern of getting into sexual affairs with law officers and then threatening their wives.
Moore faces a separate charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder.
Ken Nelson faces a charge of trying to get rid of the handgun used to kill Heather Garraus.
Both Ken Nelson and Ignacio Garraus have left their respective departments and the state.
The prospective witnesses include more than 60 current or former Greeley police officers or Weld sheriff’s deputies.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
