A Jefferson County jury found Andrea Toni Moreno, DOB: 9-10-69, guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder for setting fire to the family vehicle with her husband asleep inside. The jury deliberated for five hours before returning their verdict on June 20, 2018.
On July 20, 2017 at about 11:30 p.m., Arvada Fire was responding to an unrelated call when they observed a vehicle on fire in the driveway of 5075 Swadley Street, in Wheat Ridge. Darrell Gonzales, who had been asleep inside the vehicle, was found standing in the garage. Arvada firefighters extinguished the fire.
During the three-day trial, the jury heard testimony that Ms. Moreno had poured gasoline on the vehicle with Mr. Gonzales asleep inside, and then threw a lit match onto the gasoline, causing the front end of the vehicle to burst into flames. Her six-year-old grandson was standing with her as she started the fire. The child testified to what he witnessed.
Earlier in the day Ms. Moreno and Mr. Gonzales had been drinking and arguing. Mr. Gonzales left the house, hoping to de-escalate the situation. When he returned, around 9:00 p.m., he found that his belongings had been thrown out of the house onto the lawn. He also found that he had been locked out of the house. Mr. Gonzalez decided to sleep in the vehicle.
Wheat Ridge Police conducted the investigation and arrested Ms. Moreno.
She was found guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder (F2); Fourth Degree Arson (F4); Child Abuse (M2) and Violation of a Protection Order (M1). She will be sentenced on August 6 at 3:00.
