This is the Day 2 of 20 trial report of the murder trial of Letecia Stauch, accused of murdering her stepson Gannon Stauch however she pled not guilty by reason of insanity claiming multiple personalities compelled her to kill her stepson. A jury of her peers convicted her of all counts!
Case Report
Factual background:
On January 27, 2020, while Gannon’s father was away on National Guard deployment, Letecia Stauch killed Gannon in his bedroom.
Stauch entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The defense’s sole expert witness, psychiatrist Dr. Dorothy Otnow Lewis, testified that severe, suppressed childhood trauma had caused Stauch to suffer a severe “psychotic crack” and develop Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). The defense argued that an alter persona named “Maria” was entirely in control during the offense.
Blood spatter was recovered from the bedroom walls, baseboards, and floor area. Blood loss was extensive enough to soak completely through the mattress, carpet, and carpet padding, leaving deep stains on the structural concrete underneath the bed.
On March 17, 2020, a bridge maintenance worker discovered the suitcase discarded beneath the Escambia Bay Bridge in Pace, Florida.
Stauch dismantled her cell phone’s connection to the network for extended intervals, utilized GPS-evasion methods, and was eventually arrested on March 2, 2020, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Criminal complaint:
CHARGES:
1. 1st Degree Murder – Guilty – decided on 8th May 2023
2. Tampering with physical evidence – Guilty – decided on 8th May 2023
3. Tampering with a deceased human body – Guilty – decided on 8th May 2023
Victim(s): Gannon Stauch
Date Of Murder: TBC
Killing Incident Reported: TBC
Courthouse: El Paso County District Court, Colorado
Officers of the court
Judge:
Attorneys
Prosecution:
ADA Michael Allen
ADA Angelina Gratiano
Dave Young
Defence:
Josh Tillini
Will Cook
CO v. Letecia Stauch – Day 2 Trial Summary
Day 2 of the trial focused exclusively on the prosecution’s presentation of evidence through the testimony of Al Stauch (the victim’s father). The day was structurally centred on establishing family dynamics, prior behaviour of the defendant, and inconsistencies in her accounts surrounding Gannon’s disappearance. The prosecution used both oral testimony and recorded evidence (notably a phone call) to introduce early indicators of manipulation, implausible explanations, and shifting narratives from the defendant. The testimony also functioned as an emotional anchor, humanising Gannon while simultaneously introducing tension points—particularly around the defendant’s claims (e.g., illness, rape scenario, and events in the home) that appeared internally inconsistent. The day closed without cross-examination, leaving the prosecution’s framing largely intact and unchallenged at this stage.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Witness #1 – Al Stauch – Victim’s Father
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Primary witness for family environment, timeline context, and defendant behaviour pre- and post-disappearance
Summary Of Testimony
Al Stauch’s testimony constructed a dual-layer narrative: (1) a personal account of Gannon’s character and family relationships, and (2) a progressive exposure of inconsistencies in the defendant’s explanations. He described Gannon as affectionate and emotionally connected, reinforcing the child’s baseline normality prior to disappearance.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing of note.
Full report below!
Sources:
WATCH LIVE: Stepmom Murder Trial — CO v. Letecia Stauch — Day Two, Law & Crime, Youtube Channel, Livestream, Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/GCvsExbSats
