After nine years of seeking justice for the murder of 13-year-old Dylan Redwine, family members expressed pride in the justice system, but also a sense of fatigue.
“I am proud that I believe the right sentence was given out,” said Dylan’s older brother, Cory Redwine. “This has been nine years that this has worn on my mind and my body in ways that I can never describe.”
Cory Redwine said he couldn't be more pleased with the 48-year prison sentence handed down Friday by 6th Judicial District Judge Jeffrey Wilson.
Dylan’s mother, Elaine Hall, said the sentencing will never bring back her son, but it will make a statement about the harms of domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is really prolific, and it’s harming our children and our communities,” Hall said. “I hope this sends out a message to people who are not nice to their families. And if Mark is the poster child for that, then so be it.”
Hall said addressing her ex-husband at the sentencing hearing came easier than she expected based on the emotions she was feeling. Hall said her words were wasted on Redwine, but they still brought her some peace.
“The words we speak, they never resonate with Mark, so it’s just kind of a waste of words.” Hall said. “Honestly, the last nine years listening to all his lies and his silence, it was more about the peace I needed for myself and my family than any anger or resentment I have toward him.”
Sixth Judicial District Attorney Christian Champagne said it was a day of reckoning and justice.
“Today is a day of closure,” Champagne said. “Closure for Dylan’s family, and closure for this community.”
Cory Redwine said he now looks to remember his brother and the love and support that the community has offered his family.
Champagne said the amount of support from the community, and beyond, can never be quantified.
“There were so many hundreds and hundreds of people from our community, and people who came in from other communities to help find Dylan,” Champagne said. “These searches occurred over and over again. Not only just from the days immediately following Dylan’s disappearance, but the summers afterward. ... We had hundreds of people from all over the state and all over this country come to Durango to help find Dylan and to help support Elaine and Cory. There’s really no way to every put a number on that.”
Champagne recognized all the people who made the conviction possible, taking a bit of time to thank the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.
“This case represents the best of law enforcement,” Champagne said. “A team of officers who worked this case tirelessly, investigating every lead and following every possibility. This team made miracles happen. Even when the case seemed bleak, and that they may never be able to find justice for Dylan, they never gave up.”
Champagne said the financial cost to the 6th Judicial District is not yet known, but he was thankful to the three counties that make up the district for their support.
“We’re still calculating those numbers,” Champagne said. “What I can tell you is that the unending and unquestioned support of all three counties of the 6th Judicial District has been behind this case since the very beginning.”
At the sentencing, Mark Redwine did not speak, but his attorney said he plans to appeal. Champagne said the appeal process could take years, but that the 6th Judicial District is prepared for whatever lies ahead.
“We feel very confident that the trial was conducted in a fair, impartial manner, and that the rights of the defendant were preserved throughout that trial,” Champagne said. “So we have every reason to believe that this conviction will survive appellant appeal, and we’ll be able to face any challenges that come.”
With more than 1,500 unsolved cold case homicides in the state of Colorado, Champagne noted that Dylan is no longer a part of that list.
“Today, we took Dylan Redwine’s name off that list,” Champagne said. “If you’re one of those 1,500 families who’s waiting for your day of justice, this is living proof that if you never give up and you never stop fighting, you too can achieve justice for your loved ones.”
njohnson@durangoherald.com
