Colorado woman's conviction for murder of stepson reversed, juror found to be biased

A Colorado judge has reversed the conviction of Leticia Stauch in the murder of her stepson after the court found one of the jurors to be biased.

Leticia Stauch was convicted of the murder of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch three years after the child went missing from his home in Colorado Springs. Around two weeks after his disappearance, searchers found a piece of particle board with Gannon's blood in a nearby rural area. Authorities then arrested Leticia Stauch in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The boy's body was later found under a bridge in the Florida panhandle. An investigator said the boy had been shot, stabbed and placed in a suitcase, which was thrown into a river that empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Investigators also found Gannon's blood on Leticia Stauch's shoe, found her DNA on a gun linked to his death and learned she traveled to the Florida panhandle shortly after Gannon's disappearance.

Three years after Gannon's death, Leticia Stauch's murder trial began. She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Her defense attorney, Will Cook, claimed the grisly details of Gannon's death and lack of motive were proof that she was insane and suggested she developed dissociative identity disorder as a result of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in her childhood.

District Attorney Michael Allen argued that her changing stories to police, as well as the deliberate steps to hide what she had done, indicated that she was sane.

After she was convicted of murder, Leticia Stauch was moved to a Kansas prison.

On Thursday, an appellate court judge reversed her conviction and remanded the case to the lower court for reconsideration. A juror was determined to have been biased after it was discovered that his son-in-law was employed with the district attorney's office at the time of the trial.

In the ruling, the judge said, "The trial court committed structural error by denying Stauch's challenge for cause to a biased juror, who deliberated; we reverse the convictions and remand for a new trial."

Fourth Judicial District Attorney Kate Sing said they're disappointed in the ruling and will continue to seek justice for Gannon's family.

"Today, we learned of the appellate court's ruling in the Gannon Stauch murder case. The court's opinion is a disappointing result for this office, Gannon's family, and everyone who loves him," said Singh. "Still, we remain undeterred in our search for ultimate justice in this case. We will consult with the Attorney General's office about seeking review of today's decision in the Colorado Supreme Court, and if necessary, we will be prepared to present the case to a new jury here in El Paso County."

Al Stauch, Gannon's father and Leticia Stauch's ex-husband, said he's torn by the ruling:

"After hearing the news today about the decision by the court of appeals, I am truly torn by the emotions of potentially having to repeat this process. My resolve, however, has never been greater, my desire for justice has never wavered, and most importantly, my love for Gannon will never fail.  I am reminded daily that Gannon is standing next to God in Heaven and together looking down on all of us. As Pastor Paul and my momma recommended so many times throughout this process, let's go to the Psalms. I declare Psalm 23 over my family, all of the attorneys on this case, and everyone who has shown love and support for Gannon. The end result will be the same, and although we do not wish to journey this path again, we stand with those who will handle this case and believe wholeheartedly in their ability to finish this once and for all."