A former Marine shot in the face three times by his now-ex-wife has been reunited with his 7-year-old son, years after shootings that blinded the Colorado man and killed his mother.
Last week, an Arapahoe County judge ordered the termination of a guardianship involving Peter Spitz’s son, Asher, after the guardians allowed Spitz’s ex-wife, Teresa Lynn, overnight visits. The former guardians, Donald and Sheila Reynolds of Aurora, were Lynn’s aunt and uncle by marriage.
Spitz’s mother, Mariko Shida, was killed in the shootings in Englewood on May 17, 2004.
Lynn later was acquitted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and assault charges by reason of insanity. She was committed to the state mental health institute in Pueblo but recently was granted more freedom, including the ability to travel to Aurora to spend time with her son every six to eight weeks.
“It’s absolute happiness, overwhelming happiness,” Spitz said of the reunion with Asher that took place a few hours after District Judge Timothy L. Fasing granted him full custody July 27.
Spitz had periodic visits with his son since the shootings in 2004, but he said those stopped more than a year ago after a falling-out with the Reynoldses.
Spitz’s attorney, Brett Martin, said Fasing noted that overnight visits by Lynn were a concern during a series of hearings that began in June but granted Spitz custody based on Colorado’s family law, including Spitz’s constitutional right to raise his son and his fitness as a parent.
“Our whole family is devastated,” said Donald Reynolds, who added they were trying to adopt Asher and are considering an appeal.
Teresa Lynn, who lives under the supervision of doctors at the Colorado Mental Health Institute-Pueblo, said she understands why overnight visits with her son are a concern.
“Based on what I’ve done, I understand society’s view of me,” she said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “I would rather not have any relationship with him if that meant he’d get to stay with the Reynolds. It’s the only family he’s ever known.”
