by Mackenzie Bodell,
The Gazette
The triple homicide case that shook Custer County nearly two years ago was set to go before a jury next week, but a Fremont County judge granted a request Wednesday to delay the trial for the third time since the case started.
Hanme Clark, 46, is accused of fatally shooting three of his neighbors — Rob Geers, his wife, Beth Wade Geers, and James Daulton — over what authorities suspect was a land dispute on November 20, 2023. Daulton’s wife, Patty Daulton, survived the shooting but sustained serious injuries, according to previous Gazette reporting.
The shooting took place near the victims’ homes, which were in a secluded Rocky Ridge Road neighborhood 8 miles northeast of Westcliffe.
Clark appeared in custody on Wednesday in an 11th Judicial District courtroom for what was supposed to be an evidentiary hearing, but instead, the hearing primarily focused on a prosecution request to postpone the trial based on a late endorsement of two defense witnesses.
According to court records, Clark’s case was moved from Custer County to Fremont County in June after a judge granted a change of venue request.
According to 11th Judicial District Attorney Jeff Lindsey, who is also a prosecutor on the case, the defense filed the endorsements after the required timeframe, per state law and the court’s order.
Further arguments by the defense and prosecution revealed that those testimonies would likely argue an alibi for Clark, specifically that he was not on the property at the time of the shooting, but rather at another nearby residence in the area. Lindsey argued his side needed more time to prepare for trial, given the new defense, and noted that the burden of proof is on the prosecution.
The defense argued that it followed Colorado law, and additionally claimed Lindsey has been in possession of all the facts for a “significant amount of time” regarding the additional witnesses.
The issue came down to whether the defense was an “alibi defense” or not. The defense argued that it was not, while Lindsey said it “couldn’t be clearer” that it was an alibi, and it required a notice on the defense’s part.
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suspect-in-custer-county-2023-triple-homicide-delayed- again-8f4a04c6-0deb-4d6f-be29-3732 9576bda9/