Mark Redwine, the La Plata County man suspected of killing his 13-year-old son, Dylan Redwine, pleaded not guilty Friday in 6th Judicial District Court.
A four-week jury trial is set to begin Nov. 26.
In a routine court appearance that lasted about five minutes, Redwine’s public defense lawyer, Justin Bogan, entered the “not guilty” plea on his client’s behalf.
Redwine sat at a table and did not speak during the hearing. He was allowed to wear slacks and a blue dress shirt rather than the typical jail clothing, likely because media with cameras were allowed to attend the arraignment hearing, and some defense lawyers believe defendants in jail-issued clothing give the impression of guilt when there should be a presumption of innocence.
Redwine is charged with second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
Two prosecutors – one from Boulder County and one from Jefferson County – are assisting District Attorney Christian Champagne with the case. It is not uncommon for prosecutors from other judicial districts to assist local district attorney’s in high-profile cases, Champagne said.
Elaine Hall, Dylan’s mother, and Dylan’s older brother, Cory Redwine, were present during Friday’s hearing. They were joined by several friends and family members.
Hall said she expected the not-guilty plea and is glad the case is moving through the judicial system.
“We’re one step closer to a trial,” she said. “That’s really the goal – is the justice for Dylan and to finally get this going. There will never be closure because Dylan will still be dead, but at least we can try and put a little bit of our life back together.”
Redwine is suspected of killing his son, who was in town from Colorado Springs as part of a court-ordered visit with his father in November 2012. Dylan reportedly did not want to visit his father and had argued with him on previous visits. Dylan had also seen “compromising pictures” of his father and reportedly planned to confront his father about those pictures during his visit.
Dylan’s remains were found in June 2013 about 8 miles from Redwine’s home north of Vallecito Reservoir. His skull was found more than two years later in November 2015 about 1½ miles from his previous remains and two months after the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office named Redwine a person of interest in the case.
A grand jury issued an indictment in September 2017, accusing him of second-degree murder and child-abuse resulting in death. If convicted, he could face 16 to 48 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Dylan’s blood was found in Redwine’s living room, washing machine, the bed of his pickup and on the clothes Redwine reportedly wore the night Dylan went missing. Dylan’s skull had injuries that indicated blunt-force trauma in two locations.
Redwine is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 10 for a motions hearing.
asemadeni@durangoherald.com
