Nicholas Jordan, the man accused of killing two people at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs (UCCS), has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The deadly shooting occurred in February 2024, leaving the campus community shocked and on high alert.
Jordan's trial is scheduled for next year, but his mental health remains a key issue in the case.
Nicholas Jordan's Plea in Court
On November 22, 2024, Nicholas Jordan appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the double homicide charges.
His defense team has until January 31, 2025, to decide if they will change his plea to "not guilty by reason of insanity."
The judge has set a trial date for April 7, 2025, which is expected to last two weeks.
Jordan is accused of killing his roommate, Samuel Knopp, and a woman named Celie Rain Montgomery in the early hours of February 16, 2024, inside their UCCS dorm.
His defense has argued that his mental health might play a role in the case, and they are waiting for additional information from mental health experts before making any final decisions.
Details of the Double Shooting
The victims of the shooting were 24-year-old Samuel Knopp, a student at UCCS, and 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery, a resident of Pueblo.
The shooting occurred at Crestone House, a dormitory on the UCCS campus.
Police discovered both victims with gunshot wounds, and the campus was quickly placed on high alert.
Investigators found evidence that links Jordan to the crime scene. Forensic tests revealed that the bullets found at the scene matched a handgun located in Jordan’s car when he was arrested.
Additionally, a fingerprint found on the gun’s magazine matched Jordan’s, further strengthening the case against him.
Mental Health Evaluations and Competency Rulings
In March 2024, a mental competency evaluation concluded that Jordan was not competent to stand trial.
However, this evaluation was contested, and a second one was conducted by forensic psychiatrist Patricia Westmoreland.
She found Jordan competent to stand trial, stating that he had exaggerated his symptoms during the first evaluation.
Judge David Shakes reviewed both evaluations and ruled in August 2024 that Jordan was indeed competent to proceed with the trial.
Despite this ruling, the defense continues to argue that Jordan’s mental health remains a key issue in the case, which may affect his ability to fully participate in his defense.
Legal Proceedings and Delays
The case has faced several delays since Jordan's arrest in February 2024, mainly due to ongoing mental health evaluations and postponements of the arraignment.
These delays have pushed back the trial preparations, and the defense has requested more time to review the mental health information before making a final plea decision.
In addition to the murder charges, Jordan is facing an additional charge for allegedly assaulting a deputy while in custody at the El Paso County jail.
As the trial approaches, hearings are scheduled for January 31, March 13, and March 28, 2025, to address motions and prepare for the upcoming trial.
