Colorado Woman Convicted of Boyfriend's "Tragic and Senseless" Murder

A jury found Ashley White, 29, guilty of murder in connection with the August 2020 death of 28-year-old Cody DeLisa

Adams County Sheriff's Office Ashley White

Adams County Sheriff's Office

Ashley White

A Colorado woman has been found guilty in the murder of her boyfriend, who was fatally shot twice in the head after he “expressed skepticism” about her finding a job.

After a three-week trial, Ashley White, 29, was convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and robbery in connection with the August 2020 death of 28-year-old Cody DeLisa, according to a Jan. 28 press release from the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors described White’s relationship with DeLisa as “volatile and strained” in the months leading up to the killing, with DeLisa often criticizing White “for her struggles in securing full-time employment, which contributed to tension between the two.”

White had "expressed resentment, even writing in her diary that she regretted ever meeting DeLisa,” according to prosecutors.

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“Her frustration escalated after an incident in which she attempted to drown and burn DeLisa’s cat, a behavior that raised alarms about her mental well-being,” prosecutors said.

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The day of the killing, White allegedly went to a job interview in Denver and then texted DeLisa about it while she was returning home on the bus.

Prosecutors said that during their text exchange, DeLisa “expressed skepticism about her chances of getting the job, which upset White.”

According to prosecutors, White began talking to a stranger on the bus who told her his name was “Scott.”

“Scott asked if she was in a relationship with a man and whether he raped her,” prosecutors said. “White responded that he had, and Scott then said they must kill him.”

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The two got off the bus and walked to White’s home, where Scott told DeLisa he was White’s brother from Texas, prosecutors said.

DeLisa was shot twice in the head and then robbed of his wallet.  His body was found during a welfare check the following day.

White and Scott spent a couple of days together before Scott moved on, per the press release. They never saw each other again.

White was later arrested and charged with the killing.

Three years after the murder, a woman came forward alleging her boyfriend Michael Stratton, who was in custody for the killing of a man in Pueblo, may have been "Scott."

“Her description of Stratton’s confession matched White’s account of the crime,” prosecutors said.

Stratton was “deemed incompetent to stand trial” in the Pueblo murder case and has not been charged in connection with DeLisa’s murder, prosecutors said.

White is scheduled for sentencing on April 4. Her attorney could not be reached for comment.

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