A man on the run lures a Mesa Verde National Park visitor to a tragic end then flees to the West Coast only to find that the consequences of his lawlessness have followed his trail from the mesas of Colorado to the coast of California.
LaVoyne Stanley Parrish (Photo Source) Family Search: Lavoyne Stanley Parrish Profile
Christopher Dean Paul (Photo Source) The Associated Press via The Sacramento Bee
Mesa Verde National Park Image (Source) Mesaverdecountry.com
Mesa Verde National Park Map (Source) Google Maps
Episode Source Material
- The Associated Press via Daily Press: CHP officer shot after traffic stop. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- North County Times: Officer shot on Highway 78 goes home. By Karen Smith Via newspapers.com. (1)
- North County Times: Officer shot on Highway 78 goes home. By Karen Smith Via newspapers.com. (2)
- North County Times: Defendant to be arraigned in shooting. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- North County Times: Suspect says he killed in Colorado. By Karen Smith Via newspapers.com. (1)
- North County Times: Suspect says he killed in Colorado. By Karen Smith Via newspapers.com. (2)
- The Associated Press via Merced Sun-Star: Man confesses to Colorado killing. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- North County Times: Wounded cop gets comfort from colleague. By Karen Smith Via newspapers.com. (1)
- North County Times: Wounded cop gets comfort from colleague. By Karen Smith Via newspapers.com. (2)
- The Associated Press via The Lompoc Record: CHP shooting suspect confesses. By staff Via newspapers.com
- The Associated Press via Thousand Oaks Star: Convict in CHP gun battle allegedly admits to murder Via newspapers.com
- Montezuma County Clerk of Courts: Christopher Dean Affidavit for Issuance of Arrest Warrant. Filed September 22, 1998. Obtained March 21, 2025. Hard Copy only, no direct link.
- National Park Service History: Missing Person; Homicide.
- The Coeur d’Alene Press: Dead Idaho man expected to be identified soon. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Times-News: Body of murder victim could be identified this week. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via Daily Sentinel: Man held in California custody admits to killing Cortex man, stealing truck. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Idaho Statesman: Parolee confesses to killing Idahoan at Colorado rest stop. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via Ukiah Daily Journal: Man pleads innocent in CHP shooting. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Sacramento Bee: Suspected cop-shooter arraigned. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- Montezuma Valley Journal via Times Independent: Idaho tourist found murdered. By staff.
- Montezuma County Clerk of Courts: Christopher Dean Criminal Complaint/ Information.. Filed October 6, 1998. Obtained March 21, 2025. Hard Copy only, no direct link.
- North County Times: Man held for trial in officer shooting. By David Hicks and Karen Smith Via newspapers.com.
- North County Times: Trial date set in shooting of officer. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- Montezuma County Clerk of Courts: Christopher Dean Paul Request to Plead Guilty Rule 11 Advisement. Filed January 7, 1999. Obtained March 21, 2025. Hard Copy only, no direct link.
- Cortez Journal Online: Rest stop killer pleads guilty, avoids death penalty. By David Long. Published January 20, 2000. Accessed March 21, 2025. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Montezuma County Clerk of Courts: Christopher Dean Paul Sentence Order. Filed March 9, 2000. Obtained March 21, 2025. Hard Copy only, no direct link.
- Cortez Journal Online: Rest stop killer shows no remorse. By David Long. Published March 11, 2000. Accessed March 21, 2025. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Montezuma County Clerk of Courts: Christopher Dean Paul Register of Actions. Obtained March 21, 2025. Hard Copy only, no direct link.
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Christopher Dean Paul Inmate Records. Request submitted March 20, 2025. Received April 1, 2025. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Superior Court of California County of Kings. People vs. Christopher D. Paul. Filed June 11, 2003. Accessed April 15, 2025. Hard copy only, no direct link.