CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4) – A judge has ruled there is enough evidence to continue with a trial for the 28-year-old man accused in a series of carjackings and a 75-mile chase through the Denver metro area.
Ryan Stone, a former prison inmate, is facing 13 felony charges that include attempted murder, kidnapping and carjacking, for allegedly carjacking several vehicles in March after stealing a car with a 4-year-old boy inside. He is also accused of seriously injuring a state trooper as he led police on an hour-long chase along metro-area highways.
Ryan Stone (credit: CBS)
The chase on March 12 started in Longmont and ended in Lone Tree.
Colorado State Trooper Bellamann Hee was severely injured in the chase when he was clipped by a car allegedly driven by Stone, 28, while Hee was trying to lay down stop sticks.
Hee is still healing from being struck.
Trooper Bellamann Hee (credit: Colorado State Patrol)
“We’re all thrilled to see the progress that he’s made,” said Douglas County District Attorney George Brauchler. “He’s got a long road ahead of him.”
The case is complicated by the number of victims, charges and locations but prosecutors believe they have invaluable evidence.
(credit: CBS)
“On the other hand this is a case that, as we put it during the preliminary hearing, has a helicopter video which captured a lot of the crime for us. Although it’s big and voluminous, at the same time the media’s involvement actually helped us quite a bit,” said prosecuting attorney Jason Siers.
(credit: CBS)
Three witnesses testified in court on Thursday and the judge ruled there is enough evidence to move the case forward. An arraignment date has been set for early December.
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