DENVER, CO - Late last week, a Colorado man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced for murdering his wife in August 2024.
Brian Mervin, 51, was sentenced to 25 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, 9News reported. The Denver Police Department (DPD) said that on August 19, 2024, Mervin came out of his home just after 6:00 p.m. and flagged down a passerby, asking them to call 911.
When EMS arrived on scene, the victim, identified as 55-year-old Cheri Kommer, was found unresponsive on a bed in the front bedroom of the home. Medical personnel noticed "significant bruising and abrasions" on her neck, according to a 2024 probable cause statement for Mervin's arrest.
The document also stated that other injuries consistent with strangulation were observed. Kommer was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Once her body was moved to the coroner's office, additional injuries were discovered to include large scratches and abrasions on her back, the probable cause statement said.
The injuries were reportedly consistent with someone being dragged through heavy brush and her clothing was found to be covered in dirt and debris.
When police contacted Mervin at the scene, he was inside the home and appeared to be "breathing heavily and sweating profusely," the statement read. When EMTs were administering aid to the victim in the ambulance outside, Mervin was reportedly in the house drinking soda and smoking a cigarette.
The probable cause statement noted that Mervin did not appear concerned at all about the victim's status or her treatment. He spoke with officers on scene, however, most of what he said was redacted from the probable cause statement.
While it is not entirely clear what he said, the document says there are "several inconsistencies" in what Mervin said, specifically related to the "unexplained serious injuries" of the victim.
One witness told investigators that they heard Mervin and the victim arguing, but did not see any physical confrontation between the two, according to Law & Crime. Two neighbors reportedly said they heard frequent arguing between a man and a woman as well as someone possibly throwing items around inside the home.
Brian Mervin, 51, was sentenced to 25 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, 9News reported. The Denver Police Department (DPD) said that on August 19, 2024, Mervin came out of his home just after 6:00 p.m. and flagged down a passerby, asking them to call 911.
When EMS arrived on scene, the victim, identified as 55-year-old Cheri Kommer, was found unresponsive on a bed in the front bedroom of the home. Medical personnel noticed "significant bruising and abrasions" on her neck, according to a 2024 probable cause statement for Mervin's arrest.
The document also stated that other injuries consistent with strangulation were observed. Kommer was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Once her body was moved to the coroner's office, additional injuries were discovered to include large scratches and abrasions on her back, the probable cause statement said.
The injuries were reportedly consistent with someone being dragged through heavy brush and her clothing was found to be covered in dirt and debris.
When police contacted Mervin at the scene, he was inside the home and appeared to be "breathing heavily and sweating profusely," the statement read. When EMTs were administering aid to the victim in the ambulance outside, Mervin was reportedly in the house drinking soda and smoking a cigarette.
The probable cause statement noted that Mervin did not appear concerned at all about the victim's status or her treatment. He spoke with officers on scene, however, most of what he said was redacted from the probable cause statement.
While it is not entirely clear what he said, the document says there are "several inconsistencies" in what Mervin said, specifically related to the "unexplained serious injuries" of the victim.
One witness told investigators that they heard Mervin and the victim arguing, but did not see any physical confrontation between the two, according to Law & Crime. Two neighbors reportedly said they heard frequent arguing between a man and a woman as well as someone possibly throwing items around inside the home.
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