The recent case of Letecia Stauch is a heartbreaking reminder of the trauma and tragedy that can occur within families. On May 8, 2023, a Colorado jury found Letecia Stauch guilty of all charges she faced in the murder of her 11-year-old stepson in January 2020. Letecia Stauch, the stepmother of Gannon Stauch, was accused of the brutal murder of the young boy, stabbing him 18 times before hitting him in the head and then shooting him once.
Despite her admission to killing Gannon and transporting his body across country in the back of a rented van, Letecia Stauch pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. However, the experts at the state mental hospital concluded that she had a personality disorder with borderline and narcissistic features but was sane at the time Gannon was murdered.
Throughout the trial, the defense argued that Letecia Stauch killed Gannon during a “psychotic break” caused by trauma from being physically, emotionally and sexually abused during her childhood. The defense presented Dr. Dorothy Lewis, author of the book “Crazy, Not Insane” and featured in an HBO documentary with the same title, as the main defense witness. Dr. Lewis concluded that Stauch suffered from dissociative identity disorder and was not sane at the time Gannon was killed. However, the prosecution pointed out that Dr. Lewis did not know how sanity is defined under Colorado law.
The evidence offered during the five-week trial consisted of hours of audio from phone calls and video recordings of interviews with Stauch about her mental health, which were instrumental in convincing the jury of her guilt. Further, the prosecution revealed that Stauch concocted a variety of stories to mislead law enforcement officials and volunteers who were searching for the young boy.
The remains of Gannon Stauch were found by bridge inspectors in March 2020, inside a suitcase under a bridge on the Florida Panhandle. The prosecution suggested that Stauch disposed of the body in the middle of the night, hoping it would be swept into the Gulf of Mexico. The gruesome circumstances of the murder, as well as Stauch’s attempts to deceive those around her, ensured that the trial drew immense public attention.
Letecia Stauch was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree murder of a child by a person in a position of trust, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with physical evidence. She has been denied bail and could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, the verdict provides little comfort to the families and loved ones of Gannon Stauch, whose life was abruptly cut short in a gruesome manner.
In conclusion, the verdict in the trial of Letecia Stauch serves to remind us of the importance of mental health support and services, particularly in cases where individuals may have experienced childhood trauma. However, it also highlights the need for justice to be served where crimes have been committed, and for individuals to be held accountable for their actions. The verdict ensures some measure of justice for Gannon Stauch, but true healing and comfort can only come from the loving support of friends, family, and communities.
<< photo by Tito Texidor III >>
