Ralph Candelario is a JW. He murdered his JW wife (his second wife) around January 2014 in Walsenburg, Colorado. His first wife disappeared and has never been found but the jury was not permitted to know this.
Prosecutor called in Canadian Professor and former JW, Jim Penton (author of Apocalypse Delayed), to testify as an expert witness. He answered questions about the JW culture. Judge and jury paid rapt attention to his answers as he clarified JW disfellowshipping policies, etc.
Dateline covered the trial which ended yesterday.
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Posted: Thursday, March 10, 2016 11:24 pm
Candelario found guilty of murder on all counts Steve Block The Chronicle-News
Ralph Candelario was found guilty of First Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence Thursday afternoon at the Las Animas County Courthouse. Candelario, showed no visible signs of emotion as Third Judicial District Chief Judge Claude A. Appel read the unanimous verdict.
Candelario was found guilty in the bludgeoning death of his wife, Pamela Candelario, at their Walsenburg home on the night of Jan. 15-16, 2014. His sentencing hearing will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, at the Huerfano County Courthouse in Walsenburg.
Chief Judge Appel polled each individual member of the jury after the verdict was announced, and asked them if they had voted Candelario guilty, and each of them said they had voted guilty. Judge Appel thanked the jury members and met with them after the verdict was announced, giving each of them a certificate of appreciation for their service and a small gift. In his instructions to the jurors after the verdict was announced, Judge Appel told them they could speak to anyone they wanted about what had happened during the trial, but told them that if they faced any criticism, they should immediately report it to him. He also thanked all of the prosecution and defense attorneys for their thoroughness and professionalism throughout the course of the nearly two-week trial.
“I just want to say publicly to the attorneys present that I want to thank you for your professionalism and thoroughness in this case,” Judge Appel said. “All of you did great jobs, and it’s been a pleasure sharing this courtroom with all of you.”
Afterwards, Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Brackley of the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, was asked about Judge Appel’s compliments. Attorney Brackley said he was pleased to hear what the judge had to say.
“It felt great. We found the defense to be excellent trial attorneys,” Brackley said. “They did a great job, and Mr. Candelario deserved the best defense that could be afforded to him and they certainly gave him that.”
Candelario published a lengthy letter in an area newspaper, claiming he was innocent of the crime. Brackley was asked if he felt that letter had helped or hurt his defense on the murder charge.
“It never helps anyone when they lie,” he said.
He was asked what he thought of the spacious courtroom in Trinidad, and he said it was the most beautiful he had ever seen.
“In a long legal career that’s taken me all over the country, this courtroom is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It was a fantastic setting for a trial,” he said.
Asked if he felt justice had been served in the Candelario murder trial, he had this to say.
“Justice is always served every time a jury comes down with a verdict.”