CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Richard Lockett’s trial on charges he murdered his wife is delayed while his attorneys prepare a mental health defense.
In an August hearing, the judge ruled the defense team should be given more time to prepare a case that Lockett was mentally ill when he allegedly murdered his wife, Kirsten Lockett.
Kirsten Lockett was staying at her brother’s home in Castle Rock with five of her children when police say her husband broke into the house and stabbed her to death. Police said Lockett also tried to kill himself.
Several days earlier, Kirsten reported to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office her estranged husband kidnapped her and sexually assaulted her. Police filed an arrest warrant for him but were unable to track him down.
A Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy told his supervisors he warned police in Castle Rock that Richard Lockett may try to find his wife at her brother’s home. But Denver7 Investigates revealed the deputy, Curtis Wineski, never made the call to Castle Rock and admitted to lying to his supervisors about the warning.
Richard Lockett’s murder trial was set to begin this summer until his defense team decided to pursue a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and asked the judge for more time to prepare.
His next court date is set for October.
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