Jaehnig Rap Sheet

The murderer of Denver Police Officer Bruce VanderJagt, Matthaeus Reinhart Jaehnig, age 25, was known by the District Attorney Bill Ritter to be an avowed white supremacist with a propensity to violence, who also had an extensive criminal record. Dion Gerze, called to the stand by the prosecution in Lisl Auman's trial stated Jaehnig had been arrested seven times for concealed weapon violations.

Wired News asked: "How can a state that's locking up unprecedented numbers of people not imprison a man who practically has a sign around his neck that says "future cop-killer"?" (Wired.com - "Is It Real, Or Is It Television?" - 11-24-97)

According to published newspaper accounts, Matthaeus Jaehnig recorded violations include:

October 3, 1992 Concealed, flourishing weapon. Denver Police stopped Jaehnig and found a loaded .357-caliber handgun in his car.( (RMN 11-14, 1997 p 18A)

July 11, 1993 Dog attack and keeping dangerous dogs; keeping pit bull dogs without proper registration. Jaehnig sicced two of his dogs on Officer VanderJagt in this previous confrontation. VanderJagt's Partner, Don Gilworth said, "Still (even though he acted in this manner), he wasn't hostile."(RMN 11-14, 1997 p 18A)

September 9, 1995 Fleeing the scene of an accident, third degree assault, driving without a license, prohibited use of a weapon, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. (RMN 11-14, 1997 p 5A) Of that incident, the day after it occurred the Rocky Mountain News reported (Note: RMN article had Jaehnig's name misspelled):

"Man Arrested on Gun Charge"

"Denver police arrested a 22-year-old man who they said fled the scene of an accident after they found several guns in the car he was driving. Police were called to East Seventh Avenue and Clarkson Street at 7:15 a.m. Saturday on a report of shot sfired and an automobile accident." That article also went on to say:

"Officers fund Haehnig Matthews (actually: Matthaeus Jaehnig) of Denver sitting in a 1974 AMC Matador bleeding from the head in the 1000 block of Washington Street. In the car, officers found .22-caliber and .40-caliber seminautomatic guns. Police arrested Matthews (Jaehnig) for investigation of prohibited use of a firearm." (RMN 09-09, 1995 p 25A)

December 24, 1995 Possession of drug paraphernalia, concealed weapon, and unlawful carrying of a weapon. "On Christmas Eve, 1994, Denver Police found a loaded .357-caliber semi-automatic handgun under the seat of Jaehnig's car after stopping him." (RMN 11-14, 1997 p 18A) [ There is a discrepancy between RMN page 5A and page 18a as to whether this was 1994 or 1995. ]

March 17, 1996 "Jaehnig was arrested March 17, 1996, for criminal mischief after he was seen slashing the tires of a truck owned by Denver police officer Doug Swedlund. Earlier in the evening, Swedlund arrested Jaehnig's companion for kicking a newspaper box near 17th and Wynkoop streets." (DP 11-14-97 22A)

Of the same incident, the Rocky Mountain News reported:

"Occasionally we have problems, but these guys where just troublemakers," said Chad Shahan, a manager at the Wynkoop Brewing Co., in lower downtown.

One night in 1996, Jaehnig and another man caused a disturbance inside, then tore outside, smashing a newspaper box and slashing the tires on an off-duty police officer's pickup truck.

"They just seemed like the kind of guys that would be in trouble," Shahan said. "That guy should still be in jail as far as I'm concerned." (RMN 11-16-97 Bravery met...p 6 of 8 ...Internet)

The same article claimed that Matthaeus Jaehnig was "...a young man from a wealthy family who embraced violence instead of success." (RMN 11-16-97 Bravery met...p 8 of 8 ...Internet)

April 3, 1996 Two counts of criminal mischief. (RMN 11-14, 1997 p 18A)

April 29, 1996 The Denver Post reported:

"Jaehnig was arrested for menacing and third-degree assault after Christine Thurstin reported that Jaehnig told her to "shut up" or he would "break her nose." Thurstin told police that Jaehnig, a former boyfriend, walked up behind her on April 29, 1996, and struck her on the back of the head with a closed fist, according to police reports.

Jaehnig then allegedly grabbed Thurstin and put a gun to her neck and threatened to kill her. Thurstin told police she ran from the residence, and when she returned, discovered $200 missing from her purse, the report said.

Despite his record, Jaehnig spent little time in jail.

After pleading guilty to third degree assault against Thurstin, a Denver County Judge Warren O. Martin sentenced Jaehnig to one year in jail. But at the October 1, 1996 sentencing, Martin suspended the sentence on the condition that Jaehnig "keeps his nose clean," according to police reports.

District Attorney Bill Ritter later filed a motion asking Warren to correct the sentence by ordering Jaehnig to complete a treatment for domestic violence. Ritter said Thurstin and her parents were worried about his violent behavior and believed he was likely to re-offend.

Jaehnig's probation officer, Robert Shopnitz, also indicated Jaehnig had serious problems with anger and that sentencing be delayed until he could recommend appropriate treatment."(DP 11-14-97 p 22A)

May 4, 1996 Menacing, vehicular assault, and providing false information.

June 26, 1996 Concealed weapon, menacing (deadly weapon), third-degree assault, and criminal mischief. "...Jaehnig was stopped as he drove along South Downing Street. Denver police officer Michael Blake reported that he stopped Jaehnig because he matched the description of an armed robbery suspect. While being questioned, Jaehnig reached under the seat where Blake found a loaded .25 caliber automatic pistol. Jaehnig was driving while his license was under revocation." (DP 11-14-97 p 22A)

The New York Times reported about Jaehnig:

"With passing years, his growing anger at "the system" seemed more directed against police officers than against racial minority member. Indeed, a few years ago, he started hanging out with the black motorcycle club." (NYT 12-13-97 p A6)

"On June 26, 1996, Michael Blake, a Denver police officer, arrested Mr. Jaehnig after a high speed chase. Of Mr. Jaehnig, Officer Blake recounted: " I almost shot him. When I stepped out of my car, he was going down. I told him he had better come up with open hands, or he would not like the outcome. On the floor of the seat in front of him was a loaded automatic, with the safety off. His attitude was 'You won this one, they'll be another one.' His attitude was, 'I don't have a driver's license. I don't have insurance. So what's the big deal?' There was no responsibility, no respect for authority." (NYT 12-13-97 p A6)

April 10, 1997 Carrying a concealed weapon.

Other comments on Jaehnig's police reports and court records as reported by Denver Newspapers:

The Denver Post reported:

"A search of court records indicates that since 1992, Jaehnig has had frequent run-ins with police. He was arrested at least four times for illegally carrying or flourishing a concealed weapon, criminal mischief, and domestic violence." (DP 11-14-97 p 22A)

The Rocky Mountain News stated:

It was also clear that despite numerous scrapes with the law, Jaehnig did little time in jail, getting deferred sentences, probation or short jail terms. (RMN 11-14, 1997 p 18A)

July 11, 1993 The Rocky Mountain News reported:

"VanderJagt's former police partner also recalled Jaehnig's devotion to white supremacy.

This guy was very much into that movement," Don Gilworth said. "They've got the bon fire and the Nazi flag and doing the 'Heil Hitler' salute and stuff like that."

VanderJagt and Gilworth arrested Jaehnig on July 30, 1993, after the man set his Rottweiler and pit bull mix on the two officers. They had gone to Jaehnig's family home at 3535 E. Warren Ave, after hearing fireworks exploding there.

Jaehnig was having a skinhead party at the home, Gilworth said.

Gilworth and VanderJagt said Jaehnig "proudly admitted to being a skinhead member," according to court documents.

Still he wasn't hostile, Gilworth said" (RMN 11-14-97 Gunman was...Internet)

Of the same July 11, 1993 incident, the Denver Post reported:

"Though it was only a inquiry about fireworks, Jaehnig, whose belly is tattooed with a demon's head and another tattoo that says "blood and honor," instantly became defensive.

He sicced his pit-bull and a Rottweiler on the officers. Gilworth spotted Jaehnig peering though the trees and ordered Jaehnig to secure his animals, Gilworth reported.

"(Jaehnig) proudly admitted to being a skinhead member," Gilworth wrote in his report.

In the four year that followed, Jaehnig, a former stagehand who helped set up for Fey Concerts, was no stranger to trouble. He was arrested for 30 crimes, everything from menacing to vehicular assault to possession of drugs. (DP 11-14-97 1A)