BRIGHTON — The trial of the man accused of killing an Aurora code-enforcement officer last year got underway today, with prosecutors saying another officer saw the suspect with a gun after the shooting.
Harry Denard Williams, 23, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Rodney Morales on Nov. 13.
Morales, 40, was on a routine inspection of a small apartment complex on Clinton Street in north Aurora when prosecutors say Williams gunned him down.
In Adams County District Court, prosecutor Alex Dorotik said that Morales already was in the complex when Williams entered. Another code-enforcement officer was outside, heard a “bang,” then saw Williams run out of the apartment.
“She saw in his hand a silver gun,” Dorotik said.
A sweatshirt that prosecutors say Williams was wearing was found in a nearby Dumpster. DNA tests later were used to conclude that the hooded sweatshirt belonged to Williams.
A few hours after the shooting, Williams’ ex-girlfriend called police to say the sweatshirt belonged to him, Dorotik said.
But defense attorney Scott Evans said the former girlfriend only was trying to cash in on the $10,000 reward police offered, calling it a “tale of an ex-girlfriend up for sale.”
Evans said authorities do not have a motive for the fatal shooting and prosecutors did not give one during opening statements.
“No motive means no reason, and no reason means no connection,” Evans said.
After the shooting, a massive police search ensued. A day later, Williams was captured by police as he was hiding out in the home of a relative in Montbello.
Dorotik said Morales was shot once with a .25-caliber gun. Gunshot residue was found on the sweatshirt, and DNA also proved the sweatshirt belonged to Williams, Dorotik said.
The trial is expected to last a week.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
