In October, in the 1984 Patricia Smith rape-murder trial, a mistrial was declared as the defense questined Alexander Christopher Ewing’s sanity to stand trial. Yesterday, a judge declared Ewing competent to stand trial. Jury selection is scheduled for March 25, 2022.
The Case
Patricia Louise Smith (50) was born on Sept 19, 1933. She was murdered on Jan 10, 1984 by an at that time unknown person who raped and killed her inside her Lakewood (Colorado) home.
Patricia’s murder is connected to the 1984 Bennett Family murders in Aurora, Colorado. Six days after Patricia was raped and murdered, the same suspect murdered the Bennett Family.
In Aug 2018, Alexander Christopher Ewing (then 57) was accused in both cases. On Dec 4, 2018, a Nevada judge ordered Ewing’s extradition to Colorado. He appealed that decision. On Nov 22, 2019, his appeal was denied by the Nevada Supreme Court. The US Supreme Court did not intervene so Ewing was extradited to Colorado.
All court dates were postponed due to Covid-19. The trial in the Bennett case finally started in the summer of 2021. On Aug 6, 2021 a jury found Alexander Christopher Ewing guilty on all charges. On Aug 21, 2021 District Judge Darren Vahle sentenced Ewing to three life sentences, one for each member of the Bennett Family.