Two of three people who were arrested in connection with an attempted murder but faced significantly reduced charges, were sentenced Thursday to supervised probation.
Prosecutors said Rex Nelson, 38, and Autumn Brassard, 23, acted together with Vedoniz Begaye, 28, whose charges were dismissed, in what police said was an attempted murder June 11.
Nelson and Brassard pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
“This is one of those situations where the initial investigation supported the charge of attempted murder in the first degree,” said 6th Judicial District Attorney Christian Champagne. “When we looked more closely at the evidence, there was more nuance and detail in the case that told us a different story.”
Nelson was convicted and sentenced to three years of supervised probation with conditions. Brassard was sentenced to two years of supervised probation and received a deferred conviction – meaning that if the terms of probation are met, the conviction will be dismissed.
Nelson and Brassard were previously charged with attempted murder, felony burglary, felony assault, criminal impersonation and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. The three co-defendants allegedly assaulted 22-year-old Kenneth Platero at the Budget Inn, 3077 Main Ave.
Platero had been staying at the Budget Inn when Nelson, Brassard and Begaye arrived and accused him of insulting them. Platero and Nelson started fighting when Nelson was kicked out of the hotel room. He returned with a shotgun, police said.
Platero was shot in the arm before he fled on foot, according to police.
bhauff@durangoherald.com
