People v. Laeke

Opinion by

Judge CASEBOLT.

The issue in this criminal case is whether Abel Gebre Laeke, a mentally ill defendant, has a right to a jury trial under Colorado's insanity statute, section 16-8-105.5(2), C.R.S. 2009, even after the prosecution concedes his insanity, because he objected to his counsel's entry of a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI), contended he did not commit the underlying charge, and did not personally waive a jury trial. Because we conclude that he does, we reverse the trial court's judgment finding him insane and committing him to the Colorado State Mental Hospital…