Judge Rules Rocky Ford Police Officer James Ashby Will Stand Trial for Murder in Shooting Death
LA JUNTA, Colo. - A judge ruled Thursday that there is probable cause for Rocky Ford Police Officer James Ashby to stand trial for second-degree murder in the on-duty shooting death of a 27-year-old man.
Ashby will be arraigned on Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m. in La Junta. He is currently free on $150,000 bond.
Ashby is accused of killing Jack Jacquez, Jr. on Oct. 12, 2014.
Relatives say Ashby followed Jacquez to his home and shot him in the back after a struggle over a skateboard on Oct. 12.
Authorities had not released the circumstances surrounding the shooting and court documents had been sealed, but information from the autopsy was released in court Thursday.