EL PASO COUNTY, CO — The family of Gannon Stauch is speaking publicly for the first time since his stepmother was convicted of first-degree murder and tampering with a corpse. She was sentenced to serve two life sentences plus 13 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole.
News5's Ashley Portillo is speaking with the family today about their loss and how they can possibly move on now with the conclusion of the trial.
"I slept a little later and slept great. I felt relief. I felt peace. I walked outside and thought, what am I going to do now? I'm very thankful for the first time in more than three years to have that feeling," says Gannon's mother Landen Bullard. "The whole timeline. The only thing I picture is Gannon running out of the car trying to go to his safe place, to his bed, and hiding under his covers. That's what I see... It just bothers me having that sequence happen, that's a hard pain."
While speaking about Letecia's impact on her family, Gannon's mother Landen Bullard told the court, "I can't say that she ruined my life, for that would be a form of sick victory for her, because even through this process it has been a game for her, instead of taking that power and allowing her to hurt me further, I wanted to tell you this, let me tell you what Gannon has done, even to this day, even after you hurt him and taint any positive image of him, he has caused families and communities and children's and adults to come to the of Christ. He has called unity in times of trial, he is a hero."
Gannon's Father Al Stauch said, in part, "Your honor, I refuse to allow anger to poison my soul. Now for my precious premature-born son, Gannon, I never thought in my wildest dreams that you would be in danger and I would have never left you with what turned out to be a murder and the last person to see you on this earth. I'm sorry."
While handing down his sentence, Judge Gregory Werner said Letecia's attempts to justify her mental health issues as a shield for her actions is a disservice to those struggling with major mental health issues that have had their free will taken away by extreme mental health disorders. "You have shown no remorse throughout this process, instead you made a choice to build a web of lies," said Judge Gregory Werner.
PRIOR COVERAGE:
- Cross-examination of defense's key witness continues, jurors continue to watch November sanity evaluation
- Defense's clinical health professional: 'believes Stauch was psychotic' during Gannon's killing
- Mental health doctor testifies in Letecia Stauch trial, believes Stauch exaggerated mental health symptoms
- Jurors listen to multiple calls from Al Stauch searching for more answers about Gannon's disappearance
- Investigators testify on blood patterns and 'violent' scene in Gannon's bedroom
- Jurors shown video of Letecia Stauch alleged escape attempt
- Gannon's father says his ex-wife was 100% sane
