EL PASO COUNTY — Letecia Stauch officially has preliminary hearing dates set, after being charged with the murder of her 11-year-old stepson, Gannon Stauch.
According to court dockets, Stauch has an initial conference appearance on April 30, at 10:20 a.m. Stauch also has preliminary hearing dates set for both June 5 and 8 starting at 9 a.m.
The initial conference appearance is in relation to divorce proceedings.
News5 reached out to Attorney Stephen Longo to learn more about what could happen in the preliminary hearings, which are essentially bond hearings and where the prosecution can present their evidence to the judge. The prosecution will try to prove to the judge they have enough evidence for a trial.
Here's a helpful flow chart from DenverDA.org, that shows how felonies move through the criminal justice process:
Longo also tells News5 if the preliminary hearing is waived, or the judge believes the burden of proof has been met, then an arraignment will be set. The arraignment is where a plea could be made, and the case would likely be set for pre-trial and trial at that point.
Gannon Stauch was first reported missing by Letecia at the end of January. Letecia's arrest affidavit was unsealed, where investigators claim Letecia killed Gannon in his own bedroom, and also say her story changed several times leading up to her arrest. Letecia was arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on March 2.
READ THE ARREST AFFIDAVIT FOR LETECIA STAUCH
In March, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said they had tentatively identified a body found in the panhandle of Florida as Gannon. Following the discovery in Florida, the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office filed additional charges against Letecia Stauch. Here's a full list:
- Count 1 - Murder in the first degree (first degree felony)
- Count 2 - Murder in the first degree (first degree felony)
- Count 3 - Child abuse resulting in death (second degree felony)
- Count 4 - Tampering with a deceased human body (third degree felony)
- Count 5 - Tampering with physical evidence (sixth degree felony)
- Count 6 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - use of firearm
- Count 7 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - use of a blunt instrument
- Count 8 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - use of a knife or other sharp instrument
- Count 9 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - unlawfully causing the death of Gannon Stauch
- Count 10 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - use of a firearm related to murder in the first degree - child under 12 years of age
- Count 11 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - use of a blunt instrument related to murder in the first degree - child under 12 years of age
- Count 12 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - use of a knife or other sharp instrument related to murder in the first degree - child under 12 years of age
- Count 13 - Crime of violence (special enhancer) - unlawfully causing the death of Gannon Stauch related to murder in the first degree - child under 12 years of age
Previous reporting:
New details in Letecia Stauch arrest after affadavit released
Al Stauch releases statement after son's remains possibly found in Florida
Prosecutors not ruling out possible death penalty case against Letecia Stauch
