Zoey Ripple, woman shot while trespassing at Colo. home, pleads guilty

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Zoey Ripple

/ CBS Denver

(CBS/AP) BOULDER - A recent University of Colorado graduate pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree trespassing for drunkenly wandering into a Boulder house, where the homeowner, shot her in the hip, CBS Denver reports.

Zoey Ripple, 21, told the judge she believes she was the victim of a date rape drug when she wandered into the home around 3:30 a.m. on May 23. Investigators said her blood alcohol content was .20, nearly three times the legal limit.

Ripple stumbled into the Boulder couple's bedroom just days after she graduated from CU. Police said she got in through an unlocked screen door. After warning her to stop, the homeowner ended up shooting her, CBS Denver reported.

Ripple, who made the dean's list at the University of Colorado, has apologized to the homeowners.

"This has been an enormously traumatic incident. I'm deeply sorry it has been for the Justice's as well," Ripple said.

The bullet remains lodged in Ripple's back. Ripple received a deferred sentence that could result in the felony being stripped from her record if she avoids another conviction in the next 18 months. The Boulder DA's office said that alcohol treatment is part of Ripple's plea, according to CBS Denver.

The homeowner who shot Ripple wasn't charged. Prosecutors said his actions were justified under Colorado's "Make My Day" law, which allows residents to defend themselves against intruders.

Ripple told the judge she doesn't drink anymore. She was at a bar that evening and then attended a house party. She said she cannot remember how she ended up at the home where she trespassed.

"Really scary stuff can happen. It's really important to keep your bearings about you and be conscious of what you are doing and what other people are doing," said Ripple.

Her attorney said Ripple was never tested for a date rape drug in the hospital.

"This is something that is going to follow me for the rest of my life and I need to continue to remind myself that this doesn't define me. I know who I am," said Ripple.

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by avidreader2004 December 13, 2012 12:13 PM EST: What this "article" fails to report and which numerous news organizations did, is that it was pitch dark. She entered the house through the only unlocked door - a screen door that was closed but not latched on the first hot night of the year. She had to make it to the "remote" house, as the police report calls it, open a gate into the totally fenced backyard to get into the bedroom. That's how she woke this couple up. Rather than shoot "quickly," they yelled at her repeatedly to stop, even warned her they had a gun and would shoot. She never said a word, but kept advancing towards them shining a light. They didn't know if it was a home invasion with multiple intruders and certainly didn't know it was a drunk woman. Finally, after she kept advancing, never saying anything, the homeowner aimed at the only thing he could see, the light. All of this is in the police report. This "article" also fails to mention this is this Dean's List student's 3rd conviction (one alcohol related) in as many years, which is why the DA pursued charges. Her first 2 convictions weren't enough of a wake-up call, so charges were the only way to mandate treatment. Her attorney claims Ripple had to have been given a date rape drug because she doesn't remember anything about that night. That's actually called an alcoholic blackout - something that happens after you go to 2 parties and a bar and achieve a 0.2 BAC.; Reply to this comment


by pcwag October 12, 2012 10:41 AM EDT: The homeowners know more than they are saying. This girl had help getting in that house.; Reply to this comment