Mom of 2 killed by husband one day before divorce is finalized, Colorado officials say
A man accused of killing his wife and the mother to his two children one day before their divorce was finalized has been sentenced to prison, Colorado prosecutors say.
David Samuel Lechner, 46, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in an April 22 news release.
Attorneys representing Lechner did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment.
“Two children are now growing up without their mother while their father sits behind bars,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo said in the release.
Shortly after 8 a.m. March 30, 2023, prosecutors said Lechner shot Tracy Lechner in the garage of her Centennial home.
Evidence presented at trial showed David Lechner used a stun gun on his wife, “then shot her three times, including once in the head,” Deputy District Attorney Tory Reavis said in the release.
Multiple neighbors reported hearing gunshots, prosecutors said.
“One witness reported seeing Lechner standing over his wife, pulling the trigger at point blank range and then running to his getaway car,” according to prosecutors.
The witness, though, didn’t let Lechner leave and “rammed his rental truck into the side of” his car, prosecutors said.
Deputies arrested Lechner a short time later, according to prosecutors.
In court, prosecutors said “Lechner’s counsel argued the shooting was self-defense.”
His counsel said he went to his wife’s home to “convince her not to go forward with the divorce,” prosecutors said.
However, prosecutors said an investigation showed “Lechner bought a getaway car under a false name, purchased a GPS tracking unit, and bought gloves, duct tape, zip ties and a tarp.”
Lechner also had a taser and a gun when he went to Tracy Lechner’s home, prosecutors said.
“This was not a case of self-defense,” Reavis said. “This was a calculated murder plot to avoid a divorce and have sole custody of his children.”
The jury deliberated for four hours and found David Lechner guilty of multiple charges, including first-degree murder after deliberation and attempted kidnapping, prosecutors said.
Centennial is about a 15-mile drive southeast from Denver.
If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.
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