The Colorado Court of Appeals this month reversed a discovery sanction against the Denver District Attorney’s Office after a judge found prosecutors violated a man’s rights two years ago when they turned over an exculpatory 911 recording just six days before his jury trial was set to begin.

Denver District Court Judge Eric Johnson dismissed all of the charges against the defendant to punish prosecutors for what he said was a larger pattern and practice of discovery violations by the Denver District Attorney’s Office, a sanction that has become significantly more common across the state in recent years as the Denver DA’s office and others have faced scrutiny over flawed practices.

The Court of Appeals left alone the judge’s discovery violation finding but rejected the sanction in a July 2 opinion, finding that Johnson did not give prosecutors a real chance to contest the judge’s finding of a broader pattern of such misconduct within the Denver District Attorney’s Office before he dismissed the attempted-murder case.

“Defense counsel never even mentioned a pattern and practice of violations before the court ruled from the bench,” the opinion reads. “Instead, the court raised the issue sua sponte (on its own) in its bench ruling. As a result, the prosecutor had no advance notice that the court believed that the District Attorney’s Office engaged in a pattern and practice of discovery violations or, based on that finding, that the court would impose the most severe possible discovery sanction.”

Judges must give prosecutors the opportunity to research and respond to allegations of a pattern of misconduct before imposing a sanction, the Court of Appeals panel found. They noted their ruling is the first time the issue has been considered in a reported case, that is, a published opinion that sets legal precedent.

The higher court sent the case back to Denver District Court for a new sanctions hearing on the discovery violation. They noted in their opinion that Johnson could once again dismiss the case as a sanction against prosecutors, as long as prosecutors have an opportunity to be heard first.

In the underlying case, which appears to be sealed and no longer public, defendant Ahmad Ahmed was charged with attempted murder and four counts of assault after authorities said he stabbed a person in front of a Family Dollar store in 2022. Two of the victim’s friends then threw rocks at Ahmed to drive him away, prosecutors contended. Ahmed later claimed he acted in self-defense.

Prosecutors did not share five 911 call recordings regarding the stabbing with defense attorneys until six days before Ahmed’s jury trial was scheduled to start in 2024. In one of those recordings, the 911 caller described Ahmed as the victim in the incident, not the assailant, and described the other people throwing rocks at Ahmed.

Ahmed’s defense attorneys immediately sought out the witness, who said he was willing to testify in the case but that he was traveling and would not be available for the jury trial scheduled six days later.

That prompted Ahmed’s defense team to object to the discovery violation in court, arguing that the 911 caller’s account was exculpatory and that prosecutors should have disclosed the recording to the defense team much earlier in the case, as required by Colorado’s rules of evidence. The defense asked Johnson to dismiss the case or issue other sanctions.

DENVER (KDVR) — More sunny and hot conditions are in Denver’s weather forecast for the rest of the weekend and into next week.

Denver weather tonight: Mainly clear

Saturday night will stay mainly clear and warm. Low temperatures will fall to the mid 60s, which is about 5 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.

Denver weather tomorrow: Sunny, hot

Sunday will be sunny, breezy and hot with wind gusts out of the south southwest picking up to 20-30 mph. High temperatures will climb to the mid 90s, which is more than 5 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, but well below the daily record of 102 set in 2024.

Looking ahead: Hot week ahead

Sunshine and a warming trend continues on Monday. High temperatures will reach just below the daily record of 100 degrees set in 2003.

More sunny and dry conditions are on the way through the workweek. Every day will start with a low in the 60s, then plenty of sunshine helping to boost high temperatures to the mid to upper 90s.

There is a slight chance for showers, mostly in the High Country, that return by the end of the week and the start of the weekend.

The Los Angeles Lakers are still exploring means to improve their roster ahead of the upcoming season. Moves have been made already, but there are opportunities to add more talent around Luka Doncic. 

One potential target for L.A. is Denver Nuggets star, Peyton Watson. In a proposed multi-team deal involving the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers could land the high upside talent.

In the deal:

Both Watson and Jones have been linked with a move to L.A. this offseason, but no deal has been able to push forward. This proposal offers a chance to get both with one swing.

Lakers’ Outline for Acquiring Peyton Watson Through Trade

GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 14: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 14, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.

Watson, 23, is a restricted free agent, which makes any approach difficult. The Nuggets could match any offer to retain him and are reportedly planning to do so.

The 6-foot-8 star is coming off a breakout season in Mile High City, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He shot 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three while starting 40 of his 54 appearances.

Watson’s camp is reportedly seeking north of $25 million per year which is unfavorable for the Nuggets at this point. Denver already has huge commitments to Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Anthony Gordon and Christian Braun.

The Lakers can capitalize on the Nuggets’ need to move for pieces for flexibility and pitch a move for Watson. There would be adequate space to fit in the incoming star with the outgoings in this framework. 

The Lakers can offer Watson a multi-year deal that doesn’t affect their flexibility. Vanderbilt’s outgoing deal is the most notable, which is why the Lakers have put him at the top of their moving list for now.

Watson’s Upside and Adding Herb Jones to the Roster

GettyLuka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball as he is pressured by Herbert Jones #2 and Jeremiah Fears #0 of the the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of an 2025 Emirates NBA Cup game at Smoothie King Center on November 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Lakers would also get Jones out of this trade from the Pelicans. He is on a three-year, $68 million extension going through 2028-29 with a player option. His cap hit for 2026-27 sits at around $14.9 million.

With Watson and Jones, the Lakers would be bringing in roughly $38 million worth of salary, adding both Saddiq Rey for depth while sending out only about $26 million. This scenario would push L.A. well over its luxury limit but not into restrictive zones.

A potential lineup having Watson and Jones alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves and the newly acquired Walker Kessler, is positioned to be a strong core. 

The real hurdle is getting Denver to move on from Watson. The franchise is committed to keeping him, even if it means giving up one of their more seasoned stars. They did activate a qualifying offer, making him restricted and they intend to match offers. Although a sign-and-trade is not impossible and the Lakers can work with that.

Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad