The 17-year-old boy who allegedly confessed to killing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway was formally charged as an adult in Jefferson County on Tuesday morning.
related to the murder and kidnapping of Jessica and an attack on a female jogger at Ketner Lake over Memorial Day weekend.
Amid extraordinary security measures in court, Sigg was told that he faces 17 counts.
Eleven charges were related to the abduction and killing of Jessica, including first-degree murder after deliberation, three counts of felony murder, second-degree kidnapping and robbery. The charging documents also allege that Jessica was a victim of sexual assault and that her attacker used force during the assault.
In the case of the adult jogger, the six counts include attempted first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and attempted sexual assault.
Chief District Judge Stephen Munsinger gave public defenders seven days to file a request for a reverse transfer hearing, which would determine whether Sigg’s case would be returned to juvenile court.
Public defender Mitch Ahnstedt said he will seek a transfer to juvenile court.
Members of Sigg’s family cried when two deputies led him into the courtroom in a green jumpsuit and shackles.
Concerned by the amount of attention the Jessica case has received, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office took extraordinary security precautions Tuesday morning. Only reporters and members of the families of Sigg and Jessica were allowed into the courtroom.
“It’s such a high-profile case,” said Mark Techmeyer, Jefferson County sheriff’s spokesman. “The emotion of the community is high on the case. We have a responsibility to make that courtroom safe.”
Keeping Sigg safe is part of that role. Techmeyer said there have been no specific threats.
Sigg was surrounded by Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies as he entered the courtroom from a side door. Fifteen deputies guarded the entrance and the courtroom. One deputy stood directly in front of the Sigg family and stared at them throughout the hearing.
Ridgeway’s family and friends sat on the opposite side of the courtroom and were dressed in purple, which was Jessica’s favorite color.
District Attorney Scott Storey said last week that is “the right thing to do.” He added, however, that seeking the death penalty is not a consideration because of U.S. Supreme Court rulings. Likewise, a sentence of life without parole is not an option for those under age 18.
Storey did not comment after Tuesday’s hearing. The case is under a gag order.
, faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Storey has said the evidence against the teen, who law enforcement sources say confessed and has been tied to the case through DNA, is overwhelming.
on her way to school in Westminster on Oct. 5. Part of later in a field in Arvada.
Authorities have also said that was against , also near Sigg’s home, over Memorial Day weekend.
Documents in the case have been sealed.
The next court date has been set for Nov. 27.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or twitter.com/kmitchelldp
