Colorado Love Triangle Murder Trial

(Fort Collins, Colorado) A 36-year-old Greeley woman, Shawna Nelson, has been accused of the murder Heather Garraus, who was gunned down in a parking lot in January 2007.

Heather Garraus was married to Greeley Police Officer Ignacio Garraus who admitted to having a two-year affair with Nelson, resulting in a baby boy.

After Ignacio ended the affair, he and Nelson had a disagreement about custody of the child. Nelson then started stalking and threatening Ignacio. Ultimately, Heather Garraus was fatally shot.

According to two witnesses of the shooting, a woman wearing a black hood and a mask walked up to Heather Garraus, pointed a gun at her and told her to get on her knees.

"You ruined my life. Get on the ground," the woman told Garraus.

Garraus replied "OK, OK," before getting down on her knees, witnesses said.

The woman then lifted her right arm and fired two shots from a black handgun, according to the affidavit.

Nelson has been charged with first-degree murder and her trial starts today with jury selection after a venue change to Fort Collins. Reportedly, 300 witnesses are scheduled to testify.

Nelson reportedly denies responsibility for the shooting.


[Update 03/03/08]

Shawna Nelson convicted of first-degree murder by a jury after five hours of deliberation. Judge Roger Klein then sentenced her to life in prison without parole.