LEADVILLE, Colo. — A 29-year-old Leadville man who was found guilty in June of murdering his uncle was sentenced to life in prison on Friday.
According to the Fifth Judicial District Attorney, Eric Christopher Gurule was sentenced to life with out the possibility of parole for the murder of his uncle and previous boss, Randy Flores, 55, in 2020.
“I would love to thank the efforts of regulation enforcement and specifically the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for their fast reaction and willingness to lead this investigation,” said Heidi McCollum, fifth Judicial District Attorney. “Our thoughts cross out to Mr. Flores’ family and the community, and we are hoping that today’s sentencing helps shut this bankruptcy in their grief for this overwhelming loss.”
On Sept. 3, 2020, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 1732 Highway 24 after receiving a 911 name. When they arrived, they found Flores deceased in his home. Deputies noticed indicators of a fight in the home.
Flores have been the owner of Pro-Electric, Inc. in the Leadville area for greater than 10 years.
The sheriff’s place of work started a homicide investigation with assist from the district attorney’s workplace and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
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During the investigation, authorities learned that on Sept. 2, 2020, Flores welcomed co-workers and pals over to his house. Gurule attended the party, in accordance to the district attorney’s place of work. Another co-worker, who had long gone to the house and left around 7 p.m., mentioned Flores was putting out with Gurule, who also labored at Pro-Electric, and two others when he left. They were consuming.
The following morning, Flores didn't display up to work. The co-worker who left the birthday party at 7 p.m. the evening prior went to Flores’ house, the place he found broken items, holes in the wall, cabinet doors ripped off the hinges and other damage. He additionally found Flores lifeless in his rest room. The co-worker then known as 911, in accordance to the district legal professional’s administrative center.
During the next investigation, government spoke with two other people who stayed at the birthday celebration past 7 p.m. They said Gurule “flipped a switch” and was confrontational, so they left the home, leaving simplest Flores and Gurule inside, according to the district lawyer’s administrative center.
Deputies additionally spoke with Gurule, who said he awoke the following morning in his personal mattress with dried blood on his nostril and arms. He mentioned he didn’t remember what happened the night sooner than, according to the district attorney’s place of work.
During an interview with CBI, he had a swollen right hand, scratches on his arms, side and again, and bruises on his knee. He additionally had a contusion on the left aspect of his forehead.
Flores’ cause of death was determined to be severe blunt force craniocerebral accidents, in accordance to a pathologist. Rib fractures had been an important contributor. The pathologist said strangulation may just no longer be ruled out.
Gurule was arrested on Sept. 4.
A jury deliberated for a couple of hours earlier than they found him guilty in June, in accordance to the 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
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