Press Coverage

2005 2003-2004 2002 2001 2000 1999

Links to some of the press coverage of Lisl's case follow. For news published in the last thirty days, you may also try Yahoo News Search.

Another chronology of news articles related to Lisl's case is available at the Rocky Mountain News web site.

2005

"Prisoner of Denver" - A reprint of the Vanity Fair argument, in which Mark Seal joins Thompson in exposing the brutality, corruption, and arcane legal strategy which doomed an innocent young woman - and threatens every other American." Dr. Hunter S. Thompson and Mark Seal - Vanity Fair -- released in print June 2004 and online December 2005.
Plea Agreement Reached for Lisl Auman - Colorado Woman News - August 2005
The Photo Seen Around the World - Author Hunter S. Thompson raises his arms to exhort the crowd of supporters gathered on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol on Monday, May 15, 2001, during a rally for Lisl Auman, who is serving a life sentence in a Colorado prison - Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press - The Detroit News - February 21, 2005
OPINION POLL OVERWHELMING JUDGMENT: "FREE LISL!"
Channel 7's on-line survey support's the Colorado Supreme Court ruling. Early results at 12:20 pm on March 28, 2005 -- 79% to 21 % of 780 votes cast. --

The state Supreme Court has reversed the conviction and life sentence of Lisl Auman, who was found guilty of murder even though she was in police custody when a companion shot and killed a Denver police officer. Do you agree with the judges?

Yes. She didn't shoot the officer. She shouldn't be serving life in prison for that crime. 615 79%

No. She was involved and her actions, direct or not, led to a police officer's death. 165 21%
Will the Colorado Supreme Court rule Lisl Auman must spend the rest of her life in prison, without the possibility of parole? Or will Lisl be freed and Hunter granted a posthumous cause for celebration? by Jeralyn Merritt - 5280 Magazine - Denver's Mile-High Magazine - February - March 2005
"Grief lasts forever in Auman case" I believe in the adversarial system. Through verbal sparring in courtrooms, newsrooms and around kitchen tables, greater understanding is achieved. Truth is the holy grail, and you'll never get your hands on it by being coy. Sometimes, though, your adversaries turn out to be straw men. - by Diane Carman, Denver Post - April 5, 2005. Link has expired.
"Felony Murder Law Too Inflexible" - "Auman will get a new trial, which is wonderful news for all of us who believe that she was the victim of a gross miscarriage of justice." - by Reggie Rivers, Denver Post - April 01, 2005. Link has expired.
"LISL AUMAN WINS NEW TRIAL" - "Most prosecutors seriously re-evaluate a case if the convicted person, like Auman, has served a lengthy time in prison," said Norm Mueller, a Denver lawyer who submitted a brief on behalf of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "I think ethically the prosecution has to look at her as a person and the growth she has experienced," he said. "She has served time with grace and maturity." - by Howard Pankratz, Denver Post - March 29, 2005. Link has expired.
"Colorado woman's murder conviction overturned" - "Auman, 29, has spent seven years in prison appealing her conviction, winning support from the late writer Hunter S. Thompson, the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, and actors Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Johnny Depp." CNN.com - March 29, 2005 . Link has expired.
"To write like Hunter S." -- "he called me in the wee hours once to talk about the Lisl Auman case - I was rather tongue-tied and star-struck, for he might have been the most influential journalist of the late 20th century." by Ed Quillen - Denver Post Columnist - February 23, 2005. Link has expired.
"Thompson crusade for Auman unfinished" - "In 2001, Thompson wrote of her in his column on ESPN.com., including that he saw Auman's case as "the worst and most reprehensible miscarriage of 'justice' I've ever encountered." by Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News - February 23, 2005. Link has expired.
"Local pals have fond memories of writer Hunter S. Thompson" - "Honolulu attorney Brook Hart said he had known Thompson for more than 20 years and saw him as recently as late last month. Hart said Thompson called him more than a year ago to help with a Colorado woman's appeal of her murder conviction. 'He cared about justice and was a real champion of the underdog,' Hart said." by Rod Ohira - Honolulu Advertiser - February 22, 2005
"Dear John Letter - Farewell, HST..." "If you want to run for Congress on a platform that includes keeping an Innocent young woman in prison for the rest of her life, with no possibility of ever being paroled, I will denounce you (and Ken)...." Aaron Greco - Network 54 - February 21, 2005
"Hunter S. Thompson 1937-2005 Critic of American life pioneered 'gonzo' journalism" -- "Recently, Thompson had taken up the case of a woman sentenced to life in prison in Colorado in the shooting death of a police officer. Thompson co-wrote an article for last June's issue of Vanity Fair, detailing the story of Lisl Auman, who was 21 at the time of the murder." 'For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.' Chicago Tribune - February 21, 2005. Link has expired.
"Off Limits" - Goodin (Kendra) is so certain Auman's sentence was unjust that she's taken out a $75-a-month bus-bench advertisement at Eighth Avenue and Sherman Street that bears this simple line: www.lisl.com. "I know that the Colorado Supreme Court is close to a decision on her appeal," she says, "and I feel like any raising of consciousness for her case is a good thing." Westword - February 10, 2005.

2003-2004

"Justices hear arguments in Auman case" -- "Auman was convicted of felony murder because she allegedly arranged a burglary from which prosecutors contend Jaehnig and Auman were fleeing when Jaehnig killed the officer. The break-in was at the mountain home of Auman's former boyfriend, allegedly to retrieve items she owned." by Karen Abbott, Rocky Mountain News - September 14, 2004. Link has expired.
"Fear and loathing in Denver - In Hunter S. Thompson's campaign for Lisl Auman, Denver justice is in the crosshairs" - "The plot thickens in the Denver PD. Among those getting very little sleep this week are Chief of Police Gerry Whitman and his point man, Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter. In the news photos, both look exhausted and nervous." "They look like two guys guilty of committing murder," Hunter explains during a late-night phoner while poring over the Denver Post. "If I were someone who looked as guilty as them, I'd want to leave town quick." by Ben Corbett - Boulder Weekly - July 15, 2004.
"L.A. students weigh in on Auman felony-murder case" -"...letting people such as Jaehnig out of jail knowing that they have a bad criminal record, therefore they are the ones who could have prevented the murder." by Diane Carman Denver Post Columnist July 01, 2004.. Link has expired.
"Lessons from Tragedy" - "If the killer is already dead, then some other party must be found and prosecuted, no matter how far the prosecutors have to stretch to make a case, no matter how many cops have to change their stories before the trial." - by Ed Quillen, Denver Post - May 9, 2004.
Denver Post columnist Diane Carman talks with 1150 KNRC host Enid Goldstein about the Lisl Auman issue- Enid Goldstein, 1150 KNRC - May 6, 2004 - Listen or / and Download as mp3 file. Link has expired.
"Law trumps opinions in Auman case" - Thompson said, "(Police Chief Gerry Whitman) should be indicted for criminal conspiracy to deprive Lisl Auman of her civil rights." by Diane Carman, Denver Post Columnist - May 06, 2004. Link has expired.
"Article critical of Auman case riles law officials" - "Auman's case has rallied celebrities, including Thompson, actors Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro and the late singer Warren Zevon, to her defense." by Sean Kelly, Rocky Mountain News - May 5, 2004. Link has expired.
"Article on Auman slams police" - "Auman supporters have been critical of two Denver officers who added to their original statements to indicate Auman may have aided Jaehnig with (handing him) the murder weapon at the Denver condominium complex where the shooting deaths occurred." - by Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News - May 5, 2004.
"Auman case makes splash - Vanity Fair article examines sentence in slaying of officer" "Lisl Auman, already one of Colorado's most high-profile inmates, is poised to gain national publicity from her Cañon City prison cell. The 1997 felony murder case involving Auman, skinhead Matthaeus Jaehnig and Denver police officer Bruce VanderJagt, is the subject of a 10-page Vanity Fair magazine article co-authored by Hunter S. Thompson." by Jeff Kass - Rocky Mountain News - April 30, 2004. Link has expired.
"Lying should be a crime for all." - "It should be just as illegal for the government, or its agents, to lie to citizens, as it is for citizens to lie to the government." by Ed Quillen - January 25, 2004 Denver Post.
"Did media sway Auman jurors? - Atmosphere of menace permeated news reports at the time of policeman's slaying." by Michael Tracey - January 24, 2004 - Denver Rocky Mountain News . Link has expired.
"Auman Case Complicated but Crucial." - "What does it mean to surrender?" by Diane Carman - January 21, 2004 - Denver Post. - Link has expired.
"Cop's widow questions life sentence." - "She says she has mixed feelings about whether Auman should be locked up for life." - by Karen Abbott and Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News - www.ncfelonymurder.org - January 16, 2004.
"Woman in Officer's Death a Victim of Twisted Law." - "Lisl Auman, the clear-thinking among us know, was a scapegoat in all of this, the target of this town's collective rage over a good officer being murdered." by Bill Johnson - Rocky Mountain News. - www.ncfelonymurder.org January 16, 2004.
"Auman's life term argued in High Court - 'Harsh result' divisive after officer's 1997 slaying." January 16, 2004 - by Karen Abbott and Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News. Link has expired.
"Cop-killing case brought wide range of penalties - State's high court eyes controversial Auman sentence" - "A defense against felony murder, for example, is that someone "had no reasonable ground to believe that any other participant was armed," according to the statute (per Denver DA's office)." - by Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News - January 15, 2004.
"Auman's Attorney Says Life Sentence Too Harsh" - Denver KMGH (ABC) Channel 7 - January 15, 2004
LINKED CHANNEL 7 OPINION POLL OVERWHELMING JUDGMENT: "FREE LISL!"

Do you think Lisl Auman's conviction of felony murder is fair? January 30, 2004 results of 2847 votes cast:

1. NO. SHE DIDN'T SHOOT THE OFFICER. SHE SHOULDN'T BE SERVING LIFE IN PRISON FOR THAT CRIME. 1333 VOTES - 47%
2. I think she should be convicted of a lesser crime. 614 votes - 22%
3. Yes. She was involved and her actions, direct or not, led to a police officer's death. 863 votes - 30%
4. I don't know. 37 votes - 1%

2002

2001

Gavel to Gavel...Briefly... "It is that office's (Colorado Attorney General) function to chime in on the side of the status quo. But that doesn't make their position right. It isn't. - by Andrew Cohen - CBS News Legal Analyst - November 2, 2001. Link has expired.
A Twisted Wired Guy -- The Original Gonzo Returns to the Spotlight to Fight the Good Fight Online and Settle Some Old Scores -- by Hugo Perez - August 2001 -- Yahoo! Internet Life Magazine. Link has expired.
Law should rule for Lisl - by Billie Stanton - May 22, 2001 - Denver Post - Link has expired.
Free Lisl Auman -- The rich and famous want a Colorado inmate set free -- May 17, 2001 -- Boulder Weekly
Lisl Auman far from criminal mastermind - by Reggie Rivers - May 17, 2001 - Denver Post - Link has expired.
Hundreds at Capitol rally to 'Free Lisl' - by Kirk Mitchell -- May 15, 2001 - Denver Post - Link has expired.
Rally urges Lisl Auman's freedom - Hunter Thompson, rocker Warren Zevon take part - by Jeff Kass - May 15, 2001 - Rocky Mountain News
Auman appeal is about justice - by Diane Carman - May 15, 2001 - Denver Post - Link has expired.
Going to war for justice and Lisl Auman - by Hunter S. Thompson -- May 14, 2001 -- San Francisco Examiner. Link has expired.
Celebrities join Capitol rally to 'Free Lisl' by Sarah Huntley -- May 9, 2001. Rocky Mountain News
Inventor of gonzo journalism is alive and well, and launching a new crusade: Profile of Hunter S. Thompson" by Albert Eisele -- May 2, 2001. The Hill www.hillnews.com. Washington D.C.
Getting my stuff - Wayne's Word - "Case in point: Doug Dean, speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives . . . Police made no arrest. Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter – the same guy who worked so hard to send Auman away for life sees no crime here." - Boulder Weekly - by Wayne Laugesen - April 31, 2001
"Justice is no longer part of criminal enforcement - When moving is murder" - Wayne's Word - And that's why Lisl Auman rots in prison today, for a crime everyone knows she didn't commit. - Boulder Weekly - by Wayne Laugesen - April 17, 2001
Tell us again, which side won the cold war? ... if a police officer dies, the District Attorney will find someone to hang, even if that someone was in police custody at the time -- just ask Lisl Auman. ... by Ed Quillen - April 29, 2001
Lisl Fight - Weighing the Scales of Justice - by Jeff Kass, March 18, 2001, Rocky Mountain News
Uncle: Officer wouldn't have backed verdict - Bruce VanderJagt would have been troubled by Lisl Auman's conviction, according to his uncle - by Jeff Kass - Rocky Mountain News - March 18, 2001
Juror who voted guilty joins cause for Auman - by Jeff Kass - Rocky Mountain News - March 18, 2001
Photo Gallery: "Weighing the Scales of Justice" by Jeff Kass, March 18, 2001, Rocky Mountain News - (follow the arrows)
"National Civil-Rights Leader, Morris Dees, Interested in Auman Case" by Jeff Kass-- March 10, 2001 Rocky Mountain News. Link has expired.
Lawyers Take Stand for Justice - by Diane Carman-- March 8, 2001 Denver Post. Link has expired.
A Crime Against Nature - by Hunter S. Thompson--March 5, 2001 ESPN.com
"One of Clinton's most Ignoble acts as President was not to pardon an Innocent 22-year-old girl named Lisl Auman...." by Hunter S. Thompson
"Several grave injustices" by Hunter S. Thompson (Feb, 01)
Justice for Some - by Andrew Cohen - WB2 Legal analyst (now with CBS News) - October 20, 2000. Link has expired.

2000

Denver Post's three part Investigative Report:
"Lisl Auman: Hostage or Accomplice?" Link has expired.

Part 1	"Lisl Auman: Hostage or Accomplice?" by Diane Carman--Sunday, April 30, 2000
Part 2	"Words Return To Haunt Lisl Auman" by Diane Carman--Monday, May 1, 2000
Part 3	"Juror: We Got Sucked In" by Diane Carman--Tuesday, May 2, 2000

The "Colorado Woman News" December 2000 "Lisl Auman: Excerpts from Her Prison Journal"
Justice for Some - by Andrew Cohen - WB2 Legal analyst (now with CBS News) - October 20, 2000. Link has expired.
"The continuing search for someone to blame"... The Lisl Auman case is an excellent example. A police officer was killed, and so somebody had to pay. The young man who pulled the trigger was dead, so he wasn ... by Ed Quillen - September 19, 2000
"Auman Case Dogs Prosecutor" by Diane Carman--Tuesday, August 1, 2000 Denver Post. Link has expired.
Who's in Charge Here? - by Andrew Cohen - WB2 Legal analyst (now with CBS News) - July 11, 2000 - Link has expired.
"A Question of Intent - A Judge Deals A Blow to the Felony-Murder Law" by Juliet Wittman--Tuesday, July 6, 2000 Denver Westword
"A Tale of Two Sentences" - The Issue: T.J. White is Free, But Lisl Auman May Never Be/Our View: One Sentence Too Light, The Other Too Harsh by Denver Rocky Mountain News Lead Editorial--Tuesday, June 6, 2000 Do Readers Agree? Yes=100% (38 votes) Denver Rocky Mountain News. Link has expired.
"No Justice for Lisl Auman" by Billie Stanton--Tuesday, May 9, 2000 Denver Post. Link has expired.
"Lisl Auman Should Not Be In Jail" by Reggie Rivers--Wednesday, May 3, 2000 Denver Post. Link has expired.
"Murder by Death-What Happens When You Didn't Mean It?" by Juliet Wittman--Thursday, April 20, 2000 Denver Westword

1999

"Zero to Life" by Juliet Wittman--Thursday, April 15, 1999 Denver Westword