For Immediate Release - Feb 9, 2006

Contact:

Pam Russell DA Public Information 303-271-6905

Re: Wessel Sentenced in Death of Charles Repenning

    Michael James Wessel, DOB: 8-31-64, of Thornton, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 54 years for the death of 82-year-old paleontologist Charles Repenning. 

    Mr. Repenning was killed during a robbery at his Lakewood home in January 2005.  A jury convicted Wessel on January 12, 2006 of First Degree Murder-Felony Murder, Reckless Manslaughter, First Degree Burglary, Robbery of an At-Risk Adult, Theft from an At-Risk Adult, Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, Second Degree Burglary, False Imprisonment, and three violent crime counts. 

    According to evidence presented at trial, Wessel recruited co-defendant Kasparson to help commit the robbery.  The conspiracy was planned at his house and he supplied the tools  including the rope used to tie the elderly Mr. Repenning.

Wessel is the fourth person convicted, out of five who were charged, in Mr. Repenning's death. Richard Kasparson was found guilty by a jury in October 2005 and sentenced to life in prison plus 54 years.  Ginny Kasparson, his wife, pled guilty to Accessory to Murder, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Theft by Receiving, Providing False Information to a Pawn Broker and Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Burglary.  She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2006 at 1:00 pm.  Nicholas Savajian pled guilty to Second Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Burglary.  He is set to be sentenced on February 10 at 1:00 pm, also in Division 5. The fifth charged participant is Michael Mapps, who is alleged to have come up with the idea of the robbery in the first place.  He has pled not guilty and his case is set for trial on April 25, 2006.