The Denver office of the medical examiner has identified the man shot to death on the corner of Pearl Street and Colfax Avenue early Sunday morning as Billy Newson, 29. Newson died of a single shot to the head, according to the coroner’s office.
His brother Gene Newson, 30, said Billy Newson, was shot in the left side of the head as he stood on Pearl Street a few yards from Colfax. Neighbors say the area is an open-air drug market.
Newson led a troubled life.
Newson had an long rap sheet that included numerous arrests, most drug possession and intent to sell.
“My brother couldn’t quit” drugs, Gene Newson said Monday. “I could never get my brother out of that.”
Gene Newson said his brother was on probation when he was killed, and that though he had violated the terms of his parole he was not arrested and put back in jail.
“I would rather him be in the damned penitentiary than be right here,” Gene Newson said Monday afternoon as he stood at the spot where his brother was shot.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
