YOUR AD HERE »

Judge reduces murder suspect’s bond

Veronica Whitney

Kathleen “Kathy” Denson, 44, owner of the 77-acre Draggin’ A Ranch between Gypsum and Eagle, smiled as County Judge Terri S. Diem reduced her bond from the original $5 million.

Denson, who is charged with second-degree murder in the June 27 death of Gerald “Cody” Boyd, 45, of Vail, has been held at the Eagle County jail since her arrest that day.

Judge Diem, upon Denson’s attorney’s request, permitted the use of her ranch to post bond. Robinson had asked the judge to lower the bond to $75,000.



Deputy District Attorney Brenda Parks told the judge that Denson’s ranch had an equity of about $700,000 on a $1 million loan. She also said Denson also owned two other properties in Vail, one valued at $300,000 and the other at $600,000.

“She is a flight risk,” Parks told the judge. “This is a murder case. The likelihood of conviction, in the eyes of the prosecution, is high.”

Support Local Journalism



Judge Diem also set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 22.

Robinson asked the judge for at least 90 days before the hearing to prepare the case. He said the files of the case include more than 700 pages. Evidence also includes videotapes and photos.

The judge also set these conditions for Denson’s release: no alcohol or drugs, random testing for those substances, daily check-ins with probation officers, no leaving Colorado, and no contact with a witness who works at her fur store in Vail.

“This is an allegation of second-degree murder that occurred at my client’s home and involving one single shot,” Robinson told the judge.

Denson was arrested after Eagle County sheriff’s deputies arrived at her ranch at 14245 U.S. Highway 6 at 1:15 p.m. June 27 and found Boyd lying dead in the living room with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest.

Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Mike McWilliams said Denson called 911, saying she’d just shot her ex-boyfriend.

Judge Diem reminded the attorneys and Denson that there should be no discussion on the case outside court. Diem sealed the court files for the case July 1 in an effort to ensure the defendant’s right to a fair trial.

Second-degree murder is a class II felony with a sentence of eight to 24 years in prison, Parks said.

Denson also was charged with the use of a deadly weapon, which doubles the sentence if she is found guilty.

Veronica Whitney can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 454, or at vwhitney@vaildaily.com.


Support Local Journalism