Defendant Convicted of Attempted Murder, Assault for Driving His Vehicle into His Ex-Girlfriend and Her Family in Adams County

Brighton, CO – District Attorney Brian Mason announced today the conviction of 39-year-old Manuel Handboy on multiple charges, including Attempted First-Degree Murder, Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Attempted Manslaughter, First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, and Third-Degree Assault. The verdict came after an eight-day jury trial in Adams County District Court. 

On January 15, 2022, Handboy’s ex-girlfriend, her mother, and her sister were returning to the Red Rock Motel on West 63rd Avenue in Adams County following a shopping trip. The victim had been staying at the motel with her mother after a recent breakup with Handboy. As they unloaded items from their vehicle, they noticed Handboy nearby in his black Acura sedan. 

Without warning, Handboy accelerated toward the group, intentionally striking the victim, her mother, and her sister with his vehicle. The force of the impact sent both the victim and her mother into the air, while the victim’s sister, who was sitting in her car, was also struck. The victim and her sister sustained injuries, and their mother was knocked unconscious, suffering a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. 

After crashing his vehicle and flipping it onto its side, Handboy attempted to flee the scene on foot. However, a courageous witness intervened and subdued him until deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office arrived and took him into custody. 

“This defendant plowed his vehicle into three innocent victims, causing unspeakable suffering,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “The defendant’s violent actions are an outrageous assault on this community, and I’m grateful to the jury for returning a just verdict. The District Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute violent acts of domestic violence to the fullest extent of the law. I appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners and my team at the DA’s Office in securing justice in this case.” 

On January 13, 2025, an Adams County jury found Handboy guilty of the following charges: Attempted First-Degree Murder (F2), Attempted Second-Degree Murder (F3), Attempted Manslaughter (F5), First-Degree Assault (F3), Second-Degree Assault (F4), and Third-Degree Assault (M1). Sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. before Adams County District Court Judge Mark Warner. 

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara Carty and Senior Deputy District Attorney Ashley Shelton. 

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