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Video evidence in trial shows Denver-area influencer David Lesh jumping off snowmobile at another man

In the 2nd day of testimony in the Summit County trial, the man who David Lesh engaged in a fight with took the stand

David Lesh, 39, is facing criminal charges related to an alleged assault at the Spring Creek Trailhead in unincorporated Summit County on March 25, 2023.
Courtesy photo

Video evidence introduced Wednesday, Jan. 15, in the trial of Denver-based social media influencer David Lesh showed him jumping off his snowmobile at another man in Summit County in 2023.

Lesh, 39, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second degree assault by strangulation, a Class 4 felony, and third degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

A retired pro skier and the founder of a clothing brand, Lesh is notorious for provocative stunts and social media posts. The assault charges stem from a fight between Lesh and another man that occurred during a snowmobiling outing at Spring Creek trailhead in Summit County on March 25, 2023, according to court documents.



In opening arguments Tuesday, Lesh’s defense attorney, Colleen Kelley, said Lesh acted in self defense because he knew the other man to be a “hothead” prone to “erratic, irrational and angry outbursts.” But in testimony Wednesday, the man Lesh physically fought with said, “I feel like I was defending myself.”

The prosecution played video from the man’s GoPro that captured the lead up to the altercation.

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In the video, the man introduced himself to others in the group and told them he planned to follow them to meet up with his friends, who were already in the backcountry. Lesh then drove up on his snowmobile and announced to the group that he will not ride with the man.

The man responded that he planned to follow them to meet up with his friends, to which Lesh responded that he’d better not or else, “I’ll knock you the (expletive) out and take your keys.”

When the man objected, Lesh responded, “You want to bet?” before jumping from his snowmobile seat toward the man, knocking the GoPro camera into the snow. The camera continues to pick up audio of what sounds like a fight and the man shouting, “Someone get him off of me — he’s (expletive) choking me.”

According to the man’s testimony, Lesh put him in a chokehold with his arm causing him to see a “black curtain” before he was released. At another point, the man testified that Lesh put both hands around his neck causing him to see that “black curtain” again before Lesh let go.

The man testified that Lesh had a “terrifying” expression on his face as he strangled him and said it was “like nothing I ever experienced. It was the first time in my life I ever feared for my life.”

When the two were separated, the man testified that Lesh said “I don’t want to fight you” but that his actions suggested otherwise, and when Lesh placed his hand on the man’s stomach, the man punched Lesh in the face. The man testified that with retrospect it was possible that Lesh put his hand on his stomach because he was trying to walk by him.

When cross examined by Kelley, the man admitted that he told a Summit County Sheriff’s deputy that he had “pent up aggression” for Lesh. He testified that he felt that Lesh had left him alone in the backcountry unsafely during previous snowmobiling outings. 

Kelley also asked about a situation at a Leadville gas station a few weeks before the altercation. The man admitted to yelling at Lesh and calling him names, including expletives, during that encounter but said he did not make any threats. 

Responding to questions from Kelley, the man said he owned a gun. He also testified that he lost his temper several times in the backcountry, shouting expletives and once punching the seat of his snowmobile three times in anger.

The man testified that after the altercation, he went snowmobiling briefly before linking up with his friend, then he uploaded the GoPro video to his phone at the trailhead parking lot and called law enforcement to report the assault. He testified that he later lost the GoPro and the SD card with the original video stored on it.

Another snowmobiler who briefly witnessed the fight but drove off while it was ongoing also testified Wednesday, as did the deputy who responded to the trailhead after the man reported being assaulted.

A forensic nurse examiner who inspected the man’s injuries after the fight began her testimony Wednesday afternoon, and the defense is expected to cross examine her when the trial resumes Thursday.

The trial is scheduled through Friday.


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