Page 2 - Restricting PI Access to Public Records - AFI-LLC Newsletter February 2020

Restricting PI Access to Public Records - AFI-LLC Newsletter February 2020

For those that don't know our regulatory agency is recommending getting rid of our license (sunset) because they
believe there would be no public or consumer harm if we go back to an unlicensed state.

Many of you have already provided letters of support for our next committee hearing once the bill is introduced.
Please keep them coming, we desperately need your help. I would love to have a letter to present from each state
association board. Please send your letters attn to Colorado General Assembly Members and send them to
Robert@api77co.com.”

This was a great day at the committee hearing - and a surprise unanimous vote, and voluntary bi-partisan sponsorship!
th
The next step was to introduce a draft bill – which was submitted on January 30 and does not change the current
program, except to revisit the sunset in 2025. The introduced bill simply extends the current statute and program to
2025, gaining additional bi-partisan sponsorship. Next will be a vote in the Transportation Committee scheduled for
th
February 12 ; then any additional House committee hearings, the House floor, then pass to the Senate for similar
committee hearings and floor votes, then to the governor. Each step must be passed to continue.
Introduced bill - https://statebillinfo.com/bills/bills/20/2020a_1207_01.pdf
Current statute - CRS 12-160-101 and DORA rules - www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Private_Investigator_Laws#Rules

The support of clients and colleagues is needed and appreciated. Contact Robert Orozco (above) or our agency.

Recent Case Study
We recently received a family case with concerns in the death of their son, which was ruled a suicide. The circumstances
themselves were unusual – alone in his truck, in a very remote area, and only a rifle found by the responding deputy – in
the backseat and muzzle towards the decedent in the driver’s seat. The rifle was sitting on top of a pile of personal
effects, and the entire truck – including truck bed – was filled with belongings, except for the driver’s seat where the
decedent was. He had a gunshot wound in the left chest – at an angle not consistent with the trajectory of the rifle. The
family was told by the responding deputy this was because after the decedent shot himself while driving his truck, he
went off the road and hit a utility pole, causing the rifle to go over the decedent and to the back seat.

None of this made any sense to the family. They provided all the records, reports and photographs provided to them by
the Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office. In reviewing this initial information, we found several unusual circumstances –
and agreed with the family concerns. However, we also found several discrepancies, failure to follow standard and
protocols; and indications of missing records, reports, and photographs. We made official requests and began receiving
more information – which had ‘inadvertently not been previously found’. We reviewed this second set of materials –
and yet still found missing materials. We made a third request and received more materials – but not everything; we
learned some photographs taken with a personal cell phone (referenced in a report) were lost forever. We found
additional information on bodycam video and audio – including statements from the responding deputy to others on
scene as to how the rifle used in the suicide went from the in front of the decedent to the back seat.

After reviewing all of the available materials, it all came together. There were significant questions answered, and
evidence found. Our findings included the official investigations by both the Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office had
some deficiencies; and the official findings are consistent with the facts and evidence – evidence they did not find or
report, but was documented in photographs, video and audio. There is no evidence of suspicious circumstances, or
evidence of foul play, in this death. The evidence indicates and supports a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The official
finding of suicide was supported by the evidence. During this family consultation, we could not help but ask – what if
this were a homicide? What if it were not, but someone was arrested, charged – even convicted?

This is one of many expert consultations we have found where uncovering undisclosed evidence answers the lingering
questions. There may not be a change in the outcome. The family has answers, and no one is falsely accused of murder.