Share this @internewscast.com

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — A man accused of fatally shooting his soon-to-be ex-wife in the driveway of her Denver-area neighborhood in March pleaded not guilty to murder and other domestic violence charges in Arapahoe County Court Friday.

During an arraignment hearing, prosecutors and lawyers for the defense agreed to speedy, six-day trial that is scheduled to be April 15, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

David Samuel Lechner, then-45 years old, was taken into custody on March 30 in Arapahoe County after he allegedly shot and killed his soon-to-be ex-wife outside a home along the 5200 block of S. Geneva Way — southwest of Cherry Creek Reservoir in the Hills West at Cherry Creek neighborhood — that morning and then tried to flee from the scene in a car.

Woman killed outside home in DV-related shooting near Cherry Creek State Park

A witness purposefully crashed his van into the suspect’s vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.

Tracy Lee Lechner, 42, was identified as the victim. She died at the scene.

Local News

Affidavit: Witness tried to stop suspect from fleeing after fatal CO shooting

12:15 PM, Apr 04, 2023

The two were going through a divorce and had two young children.

As he was being arrested, deputies found a gun in a bag in the passenger seat, according to an affidavit. He had several stab wounds and was transported to a hospital. According to the affidavit, he “spontaneously uttered” multiple statements about “only trying to protect his kids,” how “he could not take it anymore” and how “his ex-wife had been abusing their kids for several years.”

David Lechner was charged with first-degree murder after deliberation, second-degree kidnapping, use of a stun gun, felony menacing with a real or simulated weapon.

During a bond hearing on June 29, Judge Theresa Slade said he had a history of failing to follow court orders. The allegations in the case indicate he is likely to intimidate and harass witnesses and victims, she added, before setting his bond to $100 million.

During that hearing, Tracy Lechner’s brother, Benjamin Bloch, said his sister had been living in a rental property due to a flood in her home and David Lechner wasn’t supposed to know where she lived due to a custody ruling. He said the suspect has “extreme narcissism,” has a family with access to a private plane so he could possibly flee, and has disobeyed court orders before. He claimed David Lechner had not only abused his wife, but also his two children.

Tracy Lechner’s mother, Natalie Bloch, said the defendant made their lives a living hell when he separated from her daughter. And then he executed her one day before the divorce was set to be finalized, she said. Her husband, Tracy Lechner’s father, said David Lechner had allegedly lied to a family court judge, avoided paying childcare despite having access to “substantial funds,” and had written several of their family’s addresses down on paper found in his car.

In that hearing, the defense argued they didn’t believe Lechner would flee and said he is willing to surrender his passport and wear a GPS device if given a lower bond.

During her funeral service in April, Cliff Bloch remembered his daughter as a loving and dedicated mother who would care for her children throughout the day and work all night running her law practice to support them. She touched many lives, volunteering, making meals for her sick friends, giving to charity and serving as a role model to her children, he said. Natalie Bloch said her daughter was so proud of her children and everything they did. But she was living “the horror” of an abused woman, though she bravely fought the court system to protect her kids, all while working, she said. She wanted to change the court system for herself and other victims of domestic violence.

Donations for the family of Tracy Lechner can be made here.


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png

What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Police Thwart Attempt to Smuggle $333 Million in Methamphetamine

Two Sydney men have been arrested and a Melbourne man has been…

Father fatally injures toddler son, attempts to frame grandfather: DA

Left inset: James VanderLeest (Brown County Jail). Center inset: Leo Escalante (GoFundMe).…

Refugees Ask District Court to Ignore Supreme Court Decision

President Donald Trump delivers remarks after signing a law that nullifies California’s…

Kidnapper Who Abandoned Girl in Woods Receives Sentence

Background: The public entry to the Anchorage Correctional Complex on Wednesday, May…

NSW Police Officer Assaulted During Welfare Check

A man is in custody after two female police officers were allegedly…

Tragic Florida Vacation Incident: Pediatrician Accused of Staging Drowning of 4-Year-Old Daughter

An Oklahoma pediatrician is behind bars after police say she killed her…

Abrego Garcia Describes Alleged ‘Torture’ in Salvadoran Jail

Inset left: Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks in a hotel restaurant in San…

Stranger Breaks Into Home in Attempt to Kidnap Infant

Iowa police arrested a woman on Monday who allegedly broke into a…

Teenager, 18, Detained on Suspicion of Attempted Murder

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kelvin Tay’sean Baker, 18, was taken into…

Trump Administration Urges Judge to Block Entire District Court

President Donald Trump attends the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington…

Husband Suspected of Killing Doctor Wife Dies in House Fire

The estranged husband of a well-known California doctor has been arrested months…

“‘Karate Kid’ Antagonist Accused of Biting ‘Cobra Kai’ Cast Member”

Martin Kove, recognized for his role as the primary adult antagonist in…