FORT COLLINS — A prosecutor this afternoon described Shawna Nelson as a cold calculating killer who was obsessed with her lover, Ignacio Garraus.
But her defense attorney told jurors that Greeley police were unfairly targeting his client.
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.
In his opening statement, prosecutor Greg Lammons said Nelson wanted to eliminate Heather Garraus so she and Ignacio could live together with the son they had.
“She wanted the victim dead so all three could run off together like a fairy tale,” said Lammons.
Defense attorney Annette Kundelius told jurors that Nelson was over her obsession with Ignacio Garraus.
She told jurors police refused to consider other suspects, including loan applicants Heather Garraus may have turned down.
At least two weeks have been set aside for the trial, which was moved to Larimer from Weld County over conflict-of-interest concerns.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
