Man sentenced to life for motel murder
Michael Earl Smith, 29, was sentenced to life in prison without parole plus 12 years May 15 in Adams County District Court for the sexual assault and murder of a woman at the Valli-Hi Motel in Adams County.
Smith was convicted May 10 of first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder and sexual assault.
Krista Ann Boma, 34, was found severely beaten and strangled to death in a room at the Valli Hi on July 12, 2012. Smith strangled Boma with his hands and a belt.
Adams County District Judge Mark Warner described Smith’s actions as “cruel, heartless and depraved.”
“I would like extend my gratitude to the prosecution team and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding work in achieving justice for Krista Boma and her family,” 17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young said.
Man sentenced to life for
2006 Halloween party murder
Corey Wagner, 34, was sentenced May 15 to life in prison without parole in the shooting death of 26-year-old Anthony Montoya at a Halloween party in 2006 in Thornton.
Wagner shot Montoya, 26, in the back at the party at 9200 Aspen St., when Wagner returned to the party with a gun after he and some friends were forced to leave because of an altercation.
Wagner was convicted of first-degree felony murder, second-degree murder, burglary, second-degree assault and menacing.
Adams County District Judge Thomas Ensor also sentenced Wagner to six years in prison for second-degree assault against Jack Wright, who was pistol-whipped with the gun prior to the shooting.
Wagner previously was sentenced to six years in prison for second-degree assault against Desiree Dana, whose jaw was fractured when Wagner punched her in the face.
Those sentences, totaling 12 years, are consecutive to the life sentence for murder.
Wagner was initially convicted of the charges in 2008. The conviction was reversed on appeal because of an error in a jury instruction.
“We are proud of the work of the office of the district attorney and the Thornton Police Department for their continued pursuit of justice in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Jess Redman. “These crimes were a horrible tragedy that still impact the families of the victims and the many young men and women that attended the Halloween party that night. Our hearts go out to them and especially to the family of Anthony Montoya.”
