By Michael Davidson
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — The man accused of murdering 13-year-old Broomfield resident Kelsey Shannon is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Alexander "Alex" Paul Pacheco, 18, of Broomfield, is accused of first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death and abuse of a corpse. He was arrested Jan. 24 for murdering Kelsey, whose body was found Jan. 21 in a ditch near the intersection of 136th Avenue and Lowell Boulevard, not far from her home in the Broadlands.
Kelsey was last seen around 5 p.m. Oct. 14, when she left her house for a walk. Authorities still have not released the cause or presumed date of her death.
Pacheco is being held without bond in the Broomfield County Detention Center.
In Wednesday's preliminary hearing, prosecutors will attempt to convince 17th Judicial District Judge John E. Popovich there is probable cause to proceed to trial.
The hearing will be the first time authorities reveal to the public the evidence that led them to arrest Pacheco. The arrest and search warrant have been sealed since Pacheco was taken into custody.
Popovich on March 23 decided the records would stay sealed until the hearing, despite requests from the media that they be released.
"There is an ongoing and active investigation, and the subject affidavits contain hearsay or other information which may not be admissible at the time of trial, and therefore access to that information may taint a witness' memory, perception and statements," Popovich wrote in his ruling.
A preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for April 22, but the hearing was rescheduled at the request of Pacheco's attorneys.
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