Man Gets Life +128 for murder, attempted murder, assault (Ratcliff)

MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR MURDER AND ASSAULT OF POLICE OFFICER; FACES PROSECUTION IN THREE MORE CASES

A man convicted of murder and attempted murder in connection with a shooting in November 2015 that left one dead and several injured was sentenced to prison today.

Darius Ratcliff (dob: 08-01-1996) was convicted on December 4 after a four-day trial of one count of first degree murder (F1) and two counts of attempted 1^st degree murder (F2).  He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, and to 48 years in prison for each of the attempted murder convictions.

In November 2015 Ratcliff opened fire on a group of individuals who were asked to leave a house party in the 100 block of S. Bannock Avenue, which he was attending.  One man was killed and three others were injured in the shooting.

Ratcliff was also sentenced today to 32 years in in prison for the June conviction of first degree assault-peace officer (F3) in connection with an officer-involved shooting. On July 31, 2016, in the 3300 block of N. Olive Street, Denver police officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Ratcliff which matched the description of a vehicle involved in a drive by shooting early that evening.  Ratcliff eluded officers and fled the vehicle but was located nearby.  Ratcliff fired shots at the police officers and one returned fire, striking Ratcliff in the abdomen.

All the sentences are to run consecutively, or life + 128 years.

Ratcliff is also charged with:

• Three counts of burglary (F2, F3, and F4), and one count of criminal mischief (F6) in connection with the alleged burglary of a marijuana dispensary on June 3, 2016, in the 4000 block of Jackson Street. Charges were filed August 3, 2016 (16CR04895).
• Four counts of attempted murder (F2), four counts attempted first degree assault (F4), four counts of menacing (F5), and one count of illegal discharge of a firearm (F5) in connection with an alleged shooting on September 27, 2015, in the 3300 block of N. Colorado Boulevard. Charges were filed August 9, 2016 (16CR048984).
• One count of escape from pending felony (F4) for allegedly fleeing from police as he was being escorted from the city jail into Denver Health Medical Center on September 23, 2016. He was captured moments later.  Charges were filed September 28, 2016 (16CR06206).

Arraignment is scheduled for those cases on January 22, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 4G.