Colorado Politics: Colorado’s only criminal case in which federal prosecutors are actively pursuing the death penalty has taken unusual turns in recent weeks, with defense attorneys continuing to challenge the judge’s ability to hear the case and the judge issuing orders not available for public viewing.

Ishmael Petty stands accused of killing a fellow inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence (ADX). According to an after-action report from the prison, Petty immediately confessed to murdering Lamarcus Hillard on Sept. 19, 2020. Petty said he induced Hillard to fake a hostage-taking scenario in their housing area, but he strangled and stabbed Hillard while the lights were off.

After indicting Petty in April 2025, prosecutors immediately announced their intent to seek the death penalty. However, several developments have clouded the case’s trajectory.

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