Denver prosecutors announced plans to ask a juvenile court judge to transfer two boys, 12 and 14 years old, to adult court in connection with the June 30 killing of a 33-year-old man in the Sunnyside neighborhood.
Investigators with the Denver Police Department say the victim, identified in public records as Christopher Nabors, was killed in the 4300 block of North Pecos Street when he confronted the boys as they attempted to either break into or steal his vehicle. The two juveniles each face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, according to court records and statements from the district attorney's office.
What prosecutors must show
Under Colorado law, prosecutors may seek to try children as young as 12 as adults. For defendants younger than 16, that requires a transfer hearing in juvenile court. At that hearing, prosecutors and defense attorneys present evidence about the crime and the child defendant; a juvenile court judge then considers a range of statutory factors before deciding whether the case should move to Denver District Court.
Moving the cases to adult court would mean:
- Potentially much longer sentences if convicted, compared with juvenile court outcomes.
- Greater public access to court records and hearings than typically permitted in juvenile proceedings.
- Different procedural rules and potential sentencing ranges in Denver District Court.
Related incidents and community concerns
Denver police are also investigating whether the two boys may be connected to a second, similar homicide on June 24 in the 15000 block of East Olmstead Drive, in which 19-year-old Jacob Lopez was slain after confronting people trying to steal his car. Police have not charged or arrested the juveniles in that earlier killing and described that investigation as ongoing.
Records show the 14-year-old is also linked to a separate violent incident that occurred roughly 15 minutes before the Nabors killing. Police believe the 14-year-old and two other juveniles were involved in a shooting near Park Avenue and East 20th Avenue in which a 15-year-old was wounded; authorities regard that shooting as gang-related, and all three juveniles associated with it have been charged or arrested in connection to the shooting.
What this means for neighbors
Those two homicides prompted a public safety advisory from Denver police urging residents not to confront suspected car thieves and instead to call 911. The district attorney’s decision to seek transfer hearings will bring greater transparency about the evidence and proceedings but also puts a spotlight on how Denver’s juvenile and criminal justice systems handle serious violent crimes involving young defendants.
| Date | Location | Incident |
|---|---|---|
| June 24 | 15000 block of E. Olmstead Dr. | Homicide of 19-year-old Jacob Lopez (investigation ongoing) |
| June 30 | 4300 block of N. Pecos St., Sunnyside | Death of Christopher Nabors during confrontation with juveniles |
| June 30 (≈15 minutes earlier) | Park Ave. & E. 20th Ave. | Shooting in which a 15-year-old was wounded; considered gang-related |
As proceedings move forward, Denver residents can expect a transfer hearing in juvenile court before any adult prosecution begins if the DA's office pursues the request. The court's decision will determine whether the suspects face trial in juvenile court or Denver District Court, where convictions can carry significantly longer sentences.
