Weeks before deputy shot, charges considered against suspect

DENVER – Weeks before a man killed a Colorado sheriff’s deputy and wounded four other officers, prosecutors considered but declined to file criminal charges against him over angry emails he sent.

Matthew Riehl ambushed police who responded to a 911 call he made from his suburban Denver apartment Dec. 31.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Zackari Parrish was killed before the 37-year-old Riehl was killed by police.

Riehl sent more than a dozen irate emails after he was issued a traffic citation Nov. 10 to the ticketing officer and the municipal court.

KMGH-TV reports that public records it obtained showed police and prosecutors considering misdemeanour charges against Riehl.

But prosecutors determined on Dec. 14 that Riehl’s rants weren’t criminal.

Prosecutors say it is unlikely Riehl would’ve been in custody New Year’s Eve had he been charged.

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Information from: KMGH-TV, http://www.thedenverchannel.com