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Man who was on parole after prior violent offenses now accused in 4 murders

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Man who was on parole after prior violent offenses now accused in 4 murders

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A Colorado parolee once classified as a “very high” risk of reoffending is now charged in four separate killings across three counties — including three counts of first-degree murder tied to an alleged 2025 crime spree.

Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith, 38, faces two counts of first-degree murder in Adams County, one count of first-degree murder in Denver and a newly filed second-degree murder charge in Arapahoe County connected to a 2022 death.

He is being held without bond in the Denver jail, prosecutors confirmed.

In 2022, Roybal-Smith was accused of threatening customers at a retail store. One day later, a woman named Meg Eberhart was found unconscious at a light rail station and died days later, 9NEWS reported. Police suspected foul play and focused on Roybal-Smith, who was on parole for a previous offense at the time. But prosecutors did not file charges because the coroner ruled her cause of death “undetermined.”

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FAMILY WARNED NONPROFIT NOT TO FREE REPEAT OFFENDER WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED MAN DAYS LATER

Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith is facing multiple murder charges across three Colorado counties, according to prosecutors. (Denver Police Department)

Instead, Roybal-Smith was sentenced to four years in prison for the incident at the retail store.

REPEAT OFFENDER ON PAROLE FOR MURDER TIED TO BRUTAL JAIL ASSAULT, ESCAPE HOURS AFTER ROBBERY

According to 9NEWS, Roybal-Smith later became eligible for parole and was released in January 2025 after his risk level had been downgraded from “very high” to “moderate.”

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Within months, police allege he launched a violent spree in Aurora.

According to police and the Adams County Coroner’s Office, Roybal-Smith brutally stabbed two homeless men to death in separate attacks. Authorities alleged one of the homeless men was stabbed roughly 90 times.

MURDER SUSPECT IN BALTIMORE ROBBERY SPREE WAS ON PROBATION, RECORDS SHOW

An Aurora Police vehicle is seen at a crime scene after authorities arrested Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith in connection with a series of killings and violent incidents across the Denver metro area. (Aurora Police Department)

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Later that same day, Roybal-Smith was arrested in Denver in connection with an alleged hit-and-run involving two pedestrians, according to Law & Crime.

After being booked into jail, his cellmate, 36-year-old Vincent Chacon, was found dead within hours.

The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner ruled Chacon’s death a homicide caused by “asphyxia due to external compression of the neck,” or strangulation. Roybal-Smith was charged with first-degree murder in that case. He was also charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the homeless men’s stabbing deaths. 

In addition, prosecutors charged Roybal-Smith with second-degree murder in connection to Eberhart’s 2022 death.

“While the manner of the death ruling of the Arapahoe County Coroner has not changed, our office continued to review the evidence… and have determined that the Second-Degree Murder charge is appropriate at this time,” Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley told Fox News Digital. “As with every case we file, we will only pursue charges when we believe the evidence can reasonably prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt in court.”

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District Attorney Amy Padden added that while her office does not control parole decisions, the case raises broader concerns.

“We are aware of several cases in which repeat, violent offenders have been released from prison to parole earlier than expected only to go on to commit additional crimes,” Padden said. “The privilege of parole should only be granted when there is substantial evidence of rehabilitation, acceptance of accountability, and lack of danger to the community.”

An Arapahoe County spokesperson emphasized that Roybal-Smith is not on the streets and remains in custody on a no-bond hold related to his Denver case.

HORROR VIDEO CAPTURES REPEAT OFFENDER ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING 75-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, GOUGING HER EYE WITH SPIKED STICK

Interior view of the Arapahoe County Detention Center in Colorado, used as a reference image in a case involving multiple homicide charges in the Denver metro area. (RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

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A 9NEWS Investigates series previously reported that Roybal-Smith’s assessment scores contained errors and that he had been downgraded before his release.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Colorado State Board of Parole for comment but did not receive responses by publication.

George Brauchler, a Republican district attorney for Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District, said the case reflects broader sentencing and parole policy changes.

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“We Lead with our humanity” sign at Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, August 3, 2023. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

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“This gets attention because it’s so incredibly huge — a guy killed three people and menaced someone else,” Brauchler said. “But parole violators occur everywhere all the time.”

Brauchler argued Colorado has reduced incarceration levels even as its population has grown.

George Brauchler, a Republican district attorney for Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District, said dangerous people are being put back on the street. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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“The simple answer is this state, through the legislature and the governor and the parole board, has made a conscious decision that we choose to put these people back out on the street and put the community at risk more than we want to spend the tax dollars to keep them incarcerated,” he said.

Colorado Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson also criticized the state’s parole system, calling the case a “serious failure” in Colorado’s criminal justice system.

“These latest charges in this tragic case highlight a serious failure in Colorado’s criminal justice system,” Simpson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Families are grieving today because he was allowed back onto our streets.”

Simpson said the case underscores the need to strengthen parole oversight and ensure violent offenders serve appropriate sentences.

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“Parole must never become a revolving door for violent offenders,” he said. “Public safety must remain the top priority here in Colorado.”

He added that government agencies must be held accountable if system failures contributed to repeat offenses.

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Eberhart’s daughter, Zada Veniegas, previously told 9NEWS she felt relief upon learning prosecutors had finally filed charges in her mother’s death.

“At least the fact of what he did is being acknowledged on the legal end of things,” she said. “I think it’s important that she wasn’t forgotten.”

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Roybal-Smith is scheduled for an arraignment in Adams County on March 30 and remains in custody on a no-bond hold.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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New Mexico

New Mexico Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day results for April 4, 2026

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The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 4, 2026, results for each game:

Powerball

03-06-13-41-65, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Pick 3

Day: 1-3-5

Evening: 4-8-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lotto America

06-31-35-36-40, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

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Pick 4

Evening: 8-7-2-9

Day: 8-4-1-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Roadrunner Cash

04-06-10-18-23

Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

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Powerball Double Play

20-38-45-58-63, Powerball: 05

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Oregon

Young Oregon Ducks running backs Davison, Hill ready to lead in 2026

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Young Oregon Ducks running backs Davison, Hill ready to lead in 2026


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Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. burst onto the scene last fall when the then-freshmen running back duo injected a thrilling, big-play, nose-for-the-end zone element to an already-potent Oregon offense.

They combined to rush for 1,323 yards – split almost evenly – and 20 rushing touchdowns, with Davison accounting for a team-leading 15 of those scores.

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So, it was revealing to hear running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples claim all that production came from a pair of players who “really didn’t know what they were doing” as they navigated their first season on a College Football Playoff championship contender.

That won’t be the case this coming season when Davison and Hill are expected to be the two main components of the Ducks’ rushing attack.

“They’re going through the maturation process. They’re growing,” Samples said April 2 after Oregon’s fourth practice of the spring. “They have to understand who they are as players, understand their strengths and weaknesses.

“They were operating off pure talent last year. They’ve gotten in the film room more, they understand the game conceptually, what we’re trying to accomplish. … They should be key parts of not just the backfield, but the offense.”

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Davison’s role as a freshman evolved from being a short-yardage, goal-line bulldozer in the first half of the season when the 6-foot, 236-pounder started exhibiting an ability to break off long runs. He finished with 667 yards on 113 carries in 14 games. He missed the CFP semifinal Peach Bowl loss to Indiana with a broken clavicle.

“The ceiling is really high,” Samples said. “Obviously he’s a big guy by nature. He carries weight so easily, he’s so physical.”

Hill (5-11, 205) showed electric play-making ability throughout the season. He finished with 656 yards rushing on 75 carries and also caught 16 passes for 137 yards and a score. He led the Big Ten Conference and ranked second nationally with an average of 8.75 yards per carry, was tied for sixth in the Big Ten with eight rushes of 20-plus yards, tied for fourth in the Big Ten with three rushes of 50-plus yards and tied for the conference lead with two runs of 60-plus yards.

“He’s made an outstanding jump in pass (protection), understanding defense,” Samples said. “I mean, he’s even surprised me. … He’s taken a huge leap.”

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Samples said one of the goals for Davison this offseason is improving his ability to elude tacklers once he breaks through the line of scrimmage.

“He’s already physically imposing so you don’t want to tackle that guy,” Samples said. “But if he can make guys miss at the second level, if he can make guys miss on the perimeter, it’s gonna be scary.”

It’s the opposite offseason approach for Hill.

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“Dierre can do some things on the perimeter like nobody can,” Samples said. “In between the tackles, if he can continue to take his play to the next level, those guys have a chance to be like some of the best backs in the country.”

Oregon’s running back room had significant turnover after the Ducks ended the 2025 regular season.

Starter Noah Whittington graduated, and Jay Harris (Kansas State), Jayden Limar (Washington) and Makhi Hughes (Houston) transferred.

Besides sophomores Davison and Hill, the Ducks roster includes third-year back Da’Jaun Riggs, who played in five games last fall before an undisclosed injury ended his season; a pair of four-star freshmen in Tradarian Ball and Brandon Smith; and Colorado transfer Simeon Price, a six-year veteran who has played in 38 career games – two more then the rest of the group combined.

“He’s a seasoned vet,” Samples said of Price. “He’s a grown man. He goes about his business; he plays the game hard. He’s in the film room every single day. He’s probably up there already watching practice. He’s stretching, he’s encouraging guys to do yoga and drink beet juice. He brings some consistency to the room and he has some ability also.”

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Off the field, Whittington was the undisputed leader of the group last season, and his departure leaves a void Sample said will most likely be filled by the group, not any one individual.

“The honest truth is, whenever you lose a guy like Noah Whittington, you can’t replace that, right?” Samples said. “So, first is being honest about that. … but the young guys have grown up. I mean, Dierre has grown up. He speaks more. Jordon has grown up. Those guys didn’t say a word last year. They were just happy to play football.”

More is anticipated from both this season, if not expected. Samples said both are putting in the effort to make those expectations a reality.

“Those guys haven’t arrived yet, but they’re working towards it,” the coach said. “They understand that. And you know, they take that challenge every single day. They don’t act like guys that think they’ve arrived. They’re working every single day.”

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Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com.



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Utah

Mammoth’s Dylan Guenther makes Canucks regret trading his draft pick all over again

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Mammoth’s Dylan Guenther makes Canucks regret trading his draft pick all over again


If the Vancouver Canucks could hit the “undo” button on one trade in the last decade or so, it would have to be the one that ultimately landed Dylan Guenther with the Utah Mammoth.

In a draft day trade in 2021, the then-Arizona Coyotes acquired the ninth overall pick from the Canucks, which the Coyotes used to select Guenther.

Five years later, “Gunner” has five goals and 11 points in 10 career games against the Canucks — including a goal and an assist in the Mammoth’s 7-4 win at Rogers Arena on Saturday.

He’s also two goals away from the 40 mark for the season. For context, Brock Boeser leads the Canucks in goals this season with 21.

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The only things the Canucks have left from the deal are a pair of mediocre draft picks from flipping Conor Garland to the Columbus Blue Jackets and four more seasons of millions in dead cap space after buying Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s contract out two years later.

But Guenther’s two points on Saturday were only half of what the game’s leading scorer, Clayton Keller, contributed. Among his four points were three goals, lining up his third career hat trick and his first with the Utah franchise.

In true Keller fashion, he shrugged off his success without even cracking a smile.

“It feels good, for sure. Great plays by the guys on all of them, so, yeah, it’s good to score, for sure,” he said.

It was an all-hands-on-deck type of win for the Mammoth, with 13 different players recording points (including five of the six defensemen). Their third win in a row maintains their healthy lead in the wild card race, though they still haven’t officially clinched a playoff spot.

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Through two seasons of existence, Utah remains perfect against Vancouver. The Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres are the only other teams that have yet to beat the league’s newest team, though each of them has only seen Utah four times, as opposed to Vancouver’s six.

How deep can you go?

Depth is a trait of virtually every Stanley Cup-winning team. The regular season is a grind and the playoffs are even more intense, so there are always injuries. The best teams find ways to overcome them.

With a few exceptions, the Mammoth have been largely fortunate this season on the injury front — unlike last year, when two of their top four defensemen missed more than half the season. But over the last week or so, guys have started to drop.

It began with Barrett Hayton, who collided with a teammate just seconds into the Mammoth’s March 24 game against the Edmonton Oilers and is now out on a week-to-week basis.

In Thursday’s game against the Seattle Kraken, Jack McBain took an Adam Larsson shot to the leg and is also out week to week. NHL Edge lists Larsson in the 92nd percentile in shot speed, so you can imagine how much that must have stung.

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MacKenzie Weegar missed Saturday’s game, too, with what the Mammoth categorized as an “upper-body injury” expected to keep him out on a day-to-day basis.

It isn’t clear what caused Weegar’s injury, though he did take a fairly hard hit from Jacob Melanson with 9:58 on the clock in the third period on Thursday. That said, Weegar did finish that shift and played another three shifts afterwards.

But Utah’s depth guys are coming up big.

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Liam O’Brien, who hadn’t played in precisely two months, scored what may have been the prettiest of his 13 career NHL goals Saturday, beating Nikita Tolopilo on a move to the backhand with speed.

“He’s such a great teammate, great guy, and he grinds every single day, so that’s, like, awesome to see,” Keller said of O’Brien.

Nick DeSimone filled Weegar’s spot on the back end, playing his first game since March 10. As always, he played as if he hadn’t missed a game all year.

He was on the ice for two goals against, but neither one was directly his fault — and he made up for it by being present for three Mammoth goals, registering an assist on one of them.

And with the likes of Dmitri Simashev, Kevin Rooney, Daniil But and a number of other capable role players on the outside looking in, the team is well-equipped to handle additional adversity that may come as it pushes for the playoffs.

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“It’s not just having depth. It’s having guys you trust,” said Mammoth head coach André Tourigny after the game. “Both of those two guys (O’Brien and DeSimone), I trust them. They play the right way, they’re good pros, they stay ready. (No matter) how long they don’t play, they jump in.”

“We have a deep lineup and anyone that steps in is a great player and someone that knows our systems well and can contribute. O’Brien and DeSimone stepped in tonight and were great for us,” added Keller.

Goal of the game

Fans were treated to a number of beautiful goals on Saturday, but there’s one that stands out above the rest.

Kailer Yamamoto tipped a Logan Cooley shot-pass through his legs and into the net to tie the game early.

Keep in mind that Yamamoto is a guy who spent nearly all of last season in the minors and has watched a lot of games from the press box this year. It takes immense amounts of skill and confidence to pull off a move like that in an NHL game, and Yamamoto has plenty of both.

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I said it on X and I’ll repeat it here: As long as players like Yamamoto are on the fringe of NHL rosters, I refuse the notion that expansion over-dilutes the game. More than ever before, the number of elite hockey players far exceeds the amount of NHL roster spots.

Yamamoto and plenty of others in similar positions deserve to be permanent, full-time NHLers with no fear of losing their jobs. Keep expanding.





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