As the second day of a first-degree murder trial got underway this morning in Denver District Court, defendant Earl Ryan unexpectedly pleaded guilty to lesser charges related to the shooting death of a 2-year-old on Oct. 12, 2008.
Ryan, 41, had been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault, and faced up to life in prison if convicted.
After opening arguments Monday, during which Ryan lowered his head and cried as prosecutors described the morning Noah Crookham was killed, Ryan this morning accepted an offer from Chief Deputy DA Michelle Amico and pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death and second-degree assault.
He now faces up to 28 years in prison. He will be sentenced May 4 at 1:30 p.m. by Denver District Court Judge Brian R. Whitney.
Ryan had been living in the basement of a duplex rented by Noah’s mother, Angela Crookham, at 1243 Madison St. in Denver’s Congress Park neighborhood.
The morning Noah died, Angela Crookham’s estranged husband, Thomas Crookham, visited the family for breakfast after attending church with them. Ryan confronted Thomas Crookham and the two argued. Ryan went downstairs and returned with a .357 magnum pistol and began shooting at the other man, who grabbed Noah in his right arm as he ran out the front door.
A bullet traveled through Crookham’s hand into Noah’s chest. The boy was pronounced dead a few hours later.
Ryan threatened to commit suicide with the gun on the front porch but was talked out of it during a two-hour talk with Denver Police Sgt. Greg Jones.
Ryan has been in custody since the shooting.
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
