COLORADO SPRINGS — A community still searching for answers after an attack at a Planned Parenthood clinic got its first glimpse Monday of the man accused of killing three people and injuring 12 others.
But the 12-minute advisement hearing for Robert Lewis Dear shed little light on the motive behind the attack or what punishment he could face, including the death penalty.
The 57-year-old showed little reaction as he answered 4th Judicial District Chief Judge Gilbert Martinez’s questions. Dear, who appeared via a closed-circuit video, spoke three times during the hearing: “Yes,” “Yes” and “No questions.”
Investigators also declined to release information about the investigation, including the type of weapon used, Dear’s motivations or a timeline of events. Search and arrest warrants in the case were sealed at prosecutors’ request.
Dear was arrested Friday night after a standoff that lasted more than five hours at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police Officer Garrett Swasey was killed after he responded to a call for help.
Ke’Arre Stewart, 29, and Jennifer Mar kovsky, 35, also were killed. Both had accompanied friends to the clinic.
Autopsies were completed on all three victims Monday. The coroner found that the victims died of gunshot wounds.
Public defender Dan King, one of the attorneys who represented Aurora theater shooter James Holmes, stood next to Dear. Martinez granted King’s request to assign the public defenders to represent Dear.
As Martinez advised the defendant of his rights, Dear’s eyes appeared to jet from staring straight into the camera, to the floor in front of him and toward his attorney. Dear’s thick arms slumped at his side under a “safety smock” often used as a jail suicide prevention garment.
Martinez granted King’s request to access the crime scene after police conclude their investigation. Investigators said it will take several days to wrap up their work.
El Paso County District Attorney Dan May spoke with a handful of victims in the courtroom Monday.
Victims’ families embraced each other as the judge told Dear he was being held without bail on suspicion of first-degree murder.
May said his office would be prepared to file formal charges Dec. 9.
After the hearing, May said under Colorado’s system, he cannot answer whether his office will seek the death penalty.
Once prosecutors file formal charges, a preliminary hearing will be set, which likely will be followed by an arraignment. During the arraignment — which is likely months away — Dear will enter a plea.
Prosecutors will have 63 days after Dear enters a plea to decide whether to seek the death penalty.
May said he has had discussions with the U.S. attorney’s office about federal charges but would not comment further.
Shortly before Dear’s hearing, a procession of law enforcement officers escorted Swasey’s body from the coroner’s office. Funeral services for Swasey will be at 1 p.m. Friday at New Life Church in Colorado Springs.
Also Monday, Mar kovsky’s husband, Paul, released a statement about his wife.
“She was a very caring and compassionate person and patient and understanding parent. She was deeply loved by all who knew her,” his statement read. “She was always helping the kids do homework and reading books with them. We will miss her; her cooking, crafting and adventurous spirit.”
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794, jsteffen@denverpost.com or @jsteffendp
Staff writer John Aguilar contributed to this report.
