CRIME

Flores admits to shooting Doolittle; says 'it wasn't an intentional thing'

Cassa Niedringhaus
The Coloradoan
Tanner Flores testifies during his trial at the Larimer County Justice Center on Monday, October 2, 2017. Flores is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, 18-year-old Ashley Doolittle, in June 2016.

Eighty-six minutes into his unexpected testimony Monday, Tanner Flores told the jury and a crowded courtroom that he shot Ashley Doolittle.

His public defender, Daniel Jaskinski, had been questioning him about the week leading up to Doolittle's death in June 2016.

On June 9, Flores reportedly reached for the gun tucked in the backseat of his truck. Jasinski asked the defendant what happened next. 

"I shot her," Flores replied.

"Where did you shoot her?" Jasinski continued. 

"In the head," Flores said.

Flores' testimony at the Larimer County Justice Center lasted more than three hours. He has been charged with first-degree murder after deliberation, felony murder, second-degree kidnapping and a violent crime sentence enhancer.

During questioning, he paused often — sometimes more than 30 seconds — to collect his thoughts and answer questions first from the defense and then from the prosecution.

The sounds of quiet crying and shuffling in the audience often punctuated the silence, but Flores did not show emotion on the witness stand.

Doolittle, who was 18, was reportedly sitting in the passenger seat of Flores' truck as he drove along county roads between Lon Hagler Reservoir and Carter Lake in Loveland on June 9, 2016. Flores reportedly shot Doolittle three times and then drove her body to the Western Slope, where he was arrested June 10.

In his testimony, Flores repeatedly told the court his actions were unintentional and unplanned, with no thought behind them.

"Did you plan to do this?" Jaskinski asked.

"No."

"Did you plan any part of this?" Jaskinski continued.

"No."

Flores chalked up inconsistencies between his initial taped interview with a Mesa County Sheriff's Office investigator and his testimony Monday to the trauma he said he experienced.

He told the court Doolittle willingly got into his car at Lon Hagler Reservoir, and he shot her twice, adding he does not remember firing the third shot.

"Part of me just can't really describe it," Flores said. "It wasn't an intentional thing. It was just something that happened."

After more than two hours of questioning by the defense, Larimer County District Attorney Cliff Riedel was direct in his cross-examination.

"You're the one that caused this traumatic incident, aren't you?" Riedel asked.

"Yes," Flores replied.

Because Flores decided to take the witness stand — which he cannot be compelled to do — Riedel was allowed to introduce statements Flores made during a mental competency exam in April. 

During that exam, Flores reportedly told the doctor that Doolittle opened the truck door, tried to get out of the vehicle and said she'd walk back to her car on her own. The pair had met to talk about their failing relationship, after which they got in Flores' car and drove around the area.

Riedel said Flores had told the doctor during his April 12 examination that he sped up so Doolittle couldn't get out of the truck. Before they returned to where she'd left her car, he reportedly shot her.

At various points during Riedel's questioning, Flores said that he could not remember or did not know the answers, despite having previously told investigators or his doctor the information.

"You're the only person responsible for Ashley Doolittle's death?" Riedel asked.

"Yes," Flores replied.

The defense rested their case Monday after calling 11 witnesses, finishing with Flores' testimony. 

The prosecution will have an opportunity to present rebuttal evidence Tuesday morning, after which both sides will offer closing arguments before the case is turned over to the jury.  

Doolittle, who would now be a sophomore at Colorado State University, was active in 4-H, an FFA leader and posthumously named the 2017 Boulder County Fair and Rodeo Queen

If convicted by the jury, Flores faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus additional years for the kidnapping charge.

Flores' defense has argued that he shot Doolittle but it was not premeditated, for which the jury could find him guilty of second-degree murder instead.

A second-degree murder conviction would instead carry a sentence of 16-48 years in prison, rather than life.

If he is convicted, Eighth Judicial District Judge Gregory Lammons would impose a sentence at a later date.

Last month, the district attorney decided not to seek the death penalty if Flores is convicted.

In Colorado, the death penalty is only an option for Class 1 felonies when the prosecution declares ahead of time in writing that they will seek it, which triggers a separate sentencing hearing after a guilty verdict is reached.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Reporter Cassa Niedringhaus covers breaking news for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter: @CassaMN.

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Learning about domestic violence:

Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse by a dating partner each year. Girls and young women ages 16-24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence, and violent behavior often begins between the 6th and 12th grades.

About one-third of teens who were in a violent relationship ever told anyone about the abuse, and 81 percent of parents either do not think or do not know if teenage dating violence is an issue.

Warning signs:

  • Checking your cellphone or email without permission
  • Constantly putting you down
  • Extreme jealousy or insecurity
  • Explosive temper
  • Isolating you from family or friends
  • Making false accusations
  • Mood swings
  • Physically hurting you in any way
  • Possessiveness
  • Telling you what to do
  • Pressuring you or forcing you to have sex

Source: Ashley Doolittle Foundation