Duane Gurule, set to become the new mayor of Rocky Ford, Colorado, has a criminal past that includes a conviction for attempted murder. Despite admitting to his actions, Gurule claims to have transformed his life and has garnered 68% of the vote in the mayoral election. Tony Keith,Melissa Henry reported
Rocky Ford’s New Mayor Convicted of Attempted Murder
Duane Gurule, the expected new mayor of Rocky Ford, Colorado, has a controversial past that includes a conviction for attempted murder. While serving as a city council member, Gurule faced allegations of harassment and criminal mischief, but those charges no longer appear in court records, with Gurule claiming they were dismissed. However, it has now come to light that he was convicted of attempted murder in the past, raising concerns among the public.
Responding to recent revelations, Gurule acknowledged his criminal past and took responsibility for his actions. He expressed remorse and emphasized that he has made significant efforts to transform his life since then. Despite his past, Gurule believes he can still serve as an effective mayor.
Details of the Attempted Murder Conviction
Arrest papers obtained by 11 News reveal that Gurule was involved in a violent altercation in Westminster on September 26, 2004. Law enforcement responded to a shooting incident where at least two individuals were injured but survived. Investigation findings indicated that a group of uninvited individuals had left a party, but one of them fired shots into a crowd. Gurule was later identified as the shooter. At that time, he admitted to being associated with a gang.
Gurule ultimately accepted a plea deal and was convicted of attempted murder for his involvement in the 2004 incident. This conviction remains a significant part of his past.
Transparency and Voter Awareness
Gurule acknowledged that his criminal history is not something he leads with, but he has been transparent about it with the community. He stated that many people in the community are aware of his journey and have had conversations with him about it. However, the extent to which his voters were aware of his past remains uncertain.
Support in the Mayoral Election
As of Friday afternoon, Gurule had secured 68 percent of the vote for the mayoral position, although the election results have yet to be certified. This significant support indicates that a substantial portion of the community has chosen to overlook Gurule’s past and focus on his ability to serve as their mayor.
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