Sheriff Steve Reams of Weld County sounded the alarm this week after his office was forced to release 21-year-old Debisa Ephraim – charged with attempted murder and a rap sheet of 10 prior criminal cases – because of Colorado’s botched 2024 “competency” law. The law requires judges to dismiss charges against defendants found incompetent and not restorable to stand trial. Translation: the most violent, unstable people can walk free simply because the state can’t figure out what to do with them.
Reams called it “demoralizing” and said this is what happens when “bad policy is turned into bad legislation.” Victims’ families are terrified, and prosecutors across the state are powerless. Democrats promised this law would protect “low-level offenders with mental health issues.” Instead, it’s unleashing violent predators back onto the streets.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Dangerous man, open door. Ephraim, accused of attempted murder, was sprung from jail after being declared incompetent and not restorable.
- Dem law strikes again. A 2024 change swapped “may dismiss” for “must dismiss,” stripping judges of discretion. Congratulations, criminals – you just got a loophole.
- Not the first time. Similar disasters: a Lakewood stabbing suspect, a fatal DUI case, and even a man charged with trying to kidnap kids in Aurora—all charges dropped under the same law.
- Victims terrorized. Families are re-traumatized knowing the people who attacked them are free. One sister told Denver7 she now fears for her safety every day.
- Sheriff calls for change. Reams and others want lawmakers to rewrite the law immediately. Even one of its Democratic sponsors now admits it’s a mess.
My Bottom Line
This is all you need to know: Democrat policies are making Colorado less safe. Period. When a sheriff has to look his community in the eye and say, “Sorry, we had to let an attempted murderer go,” you know the system is broken by design. The legislature wasn’t writing laws for Weld County families – they were writing laws for Boulder cocktail parties.
Sheriff Reams and I have talked about this. Weld’s Home Rule Charter may give us tools to fight back. We think we can craft local policies that push back on Denver’s insanity and keep Weld safe, even while the state ties other counties’ hands. We will keep having those conversations, and we will find ways to protect our residents.
Because here’s the truth: this law wasn’t written for the “low-level offenders” Democrats claimed it would help. It was written with blinders on, ignoring the worst-case scenario. Now the worst case is here: ten criminal cases dismissed, including attempted murder. And the victims? They get more trauma and zero justice.
It’s past time for real policy. Weld County can not sit back and watch criminals walk free because the state wants to feel “compassionate.” We’ll fight back. And if Denver doesn’t like it – tough. The people deserve safety, not excuses. Period.
