The proceedings for post-conviction relief from a man serving a 25-year prison term for murder barely inched forward this week.
Luther Hampson, 30, of Dolores, has filed a motion arguing that public defender Justin Bogan provided ineffective counsel during initial trial proceedings. At a status conference on Tuesday, Aug. 18, Hampson’s new attorney, Brad Junge, said his client wanted to proceed.
“(Hampson’s) willing to come back to Montezuma County and testify,” Junge told Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker via telephone.
The proceedings have been stalled for months after Bogan refused to turn over his case files to Colorado Attorney General violent crimes prosecutor Jack Roth. Also appearing via telephone on Tuesday, Roth said he was scheduled to meet with Bogan next week.
“I’m not ready to set a hearing date,” Roth said.
Walker subsequently set a new status conference for Aug. 27, advising all parties that the case needed to move along.
“We’ve been consumed with this discovery issue since April,” Walker said.
Throughout the proceedings, Bogan has maintained that he shouldn’t be required to share his records, citing an ethical responsibility to preserve his attorney-client privilege with Hampson.
Currently in custody at the Freemont Correctional Facility near Cañon City, Hampson wasn’t present at Tuesday’s hearing.
To avoid a possible life sentence, Hampson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges in 2013 in connection to the beating death of Jonathan Hayes,27, of Dolores. Hikers reportedly found the victim’s body off County Road T on Jan. 14, 2012, a week after Hayes was last seen alive.
According to court records, Hayes sustained six blunt force impacts to the face, and his throat was sliced with a razor blade. Medical records indicate he died a slow death. The murder weapon was never recovered.
Hampson will become eligible for parole in 2029. His estimated release date is 2036.