GREELEY, Colo. – The husband of a Washington County commissioner won’t face any charges after investigators say he shot and killed his 31-year-old son during an argument earlier this month.
Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke declined to file charges Friday against Stanley Laybourn, 65, after investigators determined he acted in self-defense when he shot his son, Leyton Laybourn, the night of Aug. 13.
Stanley was arrested shortly after the incidenton County Road 5 near Cope in Washington County and held on a $250,000 bond. He has since been released from jail.
Investigators from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation looked into the case and determined that Stanley, who is partially paralyzed and disabled, was forcefully pushed by Leyton and thrown into a planting pot.
While on the ground, Stanley shot Leyton once in self-defense, prosecutors say. Leyton died later that night at a Yuma hospital. Investigators have not said what led up to the altercation.
Because of the relationship between Stanley Laybourn, the victim and the Washington County commissioner, the Weld County D.A.’s Office was brought in and appointed the special prosecutor for this case.
