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Man sentenced 63 years for murder over auto accident settlement

Court handed down consecutive sentences of 48 years for second-degree murder and 15 years for first-degree burglary
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Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

NEWS RELEASE
COLORADO FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
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GOLDEN, Colo. – John Tyler Blue (DOB: 3-11-1987) was sentenced Friday to 63 years in prison for the murder of 58-year-old Willie Carr in his Lakewood home.

“We hope that this outcome provides some sense of justice for Willie’s family and friends while ensuring that his murderer is no longer a threat to our community,” said Brian Hassing, a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Colorado’s First Judicial District.

The morning of April 26, 2019, Lakewood Police Department dispatched officers to the crime scene in response to reports of a shooting. Carr was found deceased in the bedroom of the home. An autopsy later found gunshot wounds to his right forearm and chest along with injuries to the top and back of his head.

Following an extensive investigation by homicide detectives with the Lakewood Police Department, it was discovered that Blue kicked open the door to the residence, woke up a still sleeping Carr and held him at gunpoint.

When Carr refused to reveal where he had hidden cash received in a recent auto accident settlement, Blue shot him once. After Carr repeated that he didn’t have anything, Blue shot him a second time. 

Arrested on July 23, 2020, Blue later pled guilty to charges of second-degree murder and first-degree burglary on May 25, 2021. Friday, the court handed down consecutive sentences of 48 years for second-degree murder and 15 years for first-degree burglary. Based on sentencing statutes created by the Colorado General Assembly, Blue has the opportunity to be released from the Department of Corrections in as little as 35 years.

About Colorado First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King

Taking office in January 2021, elected District Attorney Alexis King leads the Colorado First Judicial District Attorney’s Office which serves Gilpin and Jefferson counties. Consisting of over 180 prosecutors, victim-witness coordinators, investigators and support staff, the office is committed to creating safer and healthier communities for all through community partnership, alternatives to prosecution, transparency and equity.

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