Posted on 06/08/2002 11:32:31 AM PDT by trussell
Cortez man arrested in shooting
June 8, 2002
Dante J. Sena
By Katharhynn Heidelberg Journal Staff Writer
A Cortez woman was in serious condition late Friday afternoon after she was shot Thursday night with a shotgun, allegedly by the former manager of the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
According to police reports, the incident began when Melissa Elliott, 35, of Cortez, was involved in a head-on vehicle collision with an SUV driven by Dante J. Sena, 41, also of Cortez. Sena is now an employee of the Montezuma County landfill.
Around 9 p.m., Elliotts 2001 Pontiac Bonneville collided with Senas 1997 Chevy Tahoe on Fifth Street between Market and Chestnut, according to Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane. The accident was still under investigation Friday.
After the crash, Sena got out of his Tahoe and "fired at least four shots" with a 12-gauge shotgun into Elliotts vehicle, Lane said.
He said Sena shot through the windshield, which was still intact, and also through the passenger-side window. Elliott sustained gunshot wounds to the face, neck and arm, and was rushed to Southwest Memorial Hospital by paramedics. She was airlifted to St. Marys Hospital in Grand Junction shortly thereafter.
Lane said he did not know how many times Elliott had been shot.
A nurse at the ICU there reported that Elliott was in critical condition Friday afternoon, but would not comment further. Later, Elliotts condition was downgraded to serious, a nurse said.
Elliott also had her throat and windpipe slashed with a knife while she was in the vehicle, Lane said.
District Attorney Joe Olt also said that Sena allegedly cut Elliotts throat while she was in the vehicle. However, he added, Sena has not been formally charged yet.
Lane said the investigation was ongoing and refused to comment on a motive. However, he said the two were acquainted.
"The rumor is they knew each other quite well," Lane said.
Sena is on felony hold for suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, following a bond advisement Friday morning, Olt said. Bond was originally set at $100,000, but then Olts office learned of the victims condition. "I believe he is being held on a no-bond," Olt said.
Formal advisement of charges will be by June 12. Further details are expected Monday, Olt said.
A resident of a nearby apartment told the Journal Friday afternoon she and her family had heard a crash Thursday night, and, about 30 seconds later, "we heard pop, pop! like very big firecrackers."
The woman, a psychologist who refused to give her name, said she saw a man standing at the Pontiacs passenger side, hitting at the hood "with a passion I cant even describe. He was just annihilating that car." She thought he was perhaps armed with a bat, but later realized he was using the butt of a shotgun.
According to the woman, the man stopped suddenly and stood staring "blankly" at Elliotts car for about five minutes. He then leaned over and put his hand on his head "like he couldnt believe it," the witness said.
He reportedly knelt beside the car and touched Elliotts leg before taking her out of the vehicle and over to a lawn.
Tyler Jorgensen, who lives nearby, told the Journal Friday that he saw a man pacing around the car "like he didnt really know what to do. You could tell he was mad really mad. When I asked if he needed any help, he said, Stay back. I saw him take her (Elliott) over to the lawn and put her down, and he cried out he needed help . . . I really wanted to help, but I was kind of worried, considering the gunshots. It was wild and crazy."
The psychologist said her husband went to render aid to Elliott, and used towels to staunch the bleeding. Elliott apparently asked the man, "Am I going to die? Ive got four kids."
The woman also told the Journal that she did not think the assailant had threatened anyone at the scene. He told onlookers not to come any closer and that the gun was on the ground. She also thought she heard him say, "Get her (Elliott) some help."
"He seemed in two frames of mind," the woman said. "You could tell it was deliberate. . . then he became almost docile."
Police apprehended Sena at the scene. Despite scanner accounts that sounded as though there was a pursuit, "there was no foot chase," Lane said. "Sena was directly across the street and that is where he was arrested."
He said confusion on the point may have resulted from reports that a resident in the area had heard the shooting and came out with his gun. The man then "went back down the alley to put it away," Lane said.
Sena has been with the county landfill since October 1999, according to Montezuma County Administrator Tom Weaver. He was manager of the county fairgrounds from April 1987 to September 1993 and from January 1995 to June 1999, Weaver said.
Journal staff writers Jim Mimaga and Gail Binkly contributed to this report.
It sounds like he put on a little act to make it look like temporary insanity. He'll get off most likely.
Of course the death penalty only applies if she dies. I hope the prayers of FReepers will be answered and she will survive.
Thank you for your reply.
...Which too often seems harder and harder to say, feel and...believe....
All the Best, trussell.
Another sad ping OBM Brother. Though always, thanks....
Our family will pray for Mrs Elliots return to health, and for her safe return to her dear children...
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
I will also get in touch with my sister who lives in Cortez. She may know one or both of these people or have some more up to date information.
June 11, 2002
By Katharhynn Heidelberg
Journal Staff Writer
District Attorney Joe Olt is planning to charge a man accused in the shotgun and knife attack of Melissa Elliott with first-degree premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder, Olt said Monday.
Elliott, 35, was shot and attacked Thursday night, allegedly by Dante Sena, 41, after their vehicles collided on Fifth Street. According to police, Sena fired four shots into Elliotts Pontiac, wounding her in the face, neck and arm, and then cut her with a knife, injuring her throat and windpipe.
The mother of four remained in critical condition Monday at St. Marys Hospital in Grand Junction. The Journal had been advised Friday by an ICU nurse that Elliott was in serious condition; however, a hospital spokesman said she was listed in critical condition Monday afternoon. He would not provide specific details about her injuries, but they reportedly include extensive damage to her face.
Olt said the first-degree premeditated-murder charge, a Class 1 felony, is a precaution his office is pursuing. "Were not sure of her condition. She seems to be getting better, but its very scary. Were charging it so he doesnt get off the hook. We want him to know we think what he did was wrong," Olt said.
Olt is hoping for Elliotts full recovery. In that event, the murder charge will "go away," he said, and Sena will be tried on the attempted-premeditated-murder charge, a Class 2 felony.
Olt declined to comment on a motive, but police earlier have said the two knew each other.
Elliotts family is distraught, Olt said. "Theyre very scared. They have no idea why this happened."
Olt expected to file the charges either Monday afternoon or this morning. Sena will be advised on them in county court Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Sena was being held without bond over the weekend while the court ascertained Elliotts condition. Upon being informed that "medical personnel were confident that her injuries would not prove fatal," Montezuma County Court Judge Christopher Leroi reset bond at $100,000.
If Sena is able to make bond, he will be placed on home detention a condition Olt said was not customary for bond. Sena would also be prohibited from consuming drugs or alcohol and monitored accordingly, and could not possess or have access to weapons or firearms.
He is also prohibited having "any contact whatsoever with Elliott or any witness," according to a court order regarding bond filed Monday morning.
The attack is still under investigation, according to Cortez Police Department Lt. Detective Jim Shethar.
"No new information has come up," he said. "Were just trying to correlate all that we have and finish reports. I think we have a handle on the information."
The police plan to interview Elliott when she is able to speak to them, Shethar said.
Personal note from me. From what I have heard, she had had to have a hand amputated because she used it to shield her face from the bullets. She is Blind, and will probably not be able to return to work.
They are concerned about the possiblity of infection, which is common in shot gun injuries.
Please keep her in prayer, and ping anyone else who would be willing to pray for her. Thank you.
Tracy
Unbelievably, there are actual human beings who would whine at such alleged unfairness.
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