Charles Edward Waters claims self-defense in double stabbing, one fatal (30)

charles edward waters mug shot cropped.jpg
Big pic below.
Thus far, Charles Edward Waters, a 56-year-old homeless man, has not yet been formally charged in an early Friday double stabbing that left one man dead and another one wounded, and the victim has yet to be identified. But the police report, on view below, offers a brutal account of the events from before, after and possibly during the killing itself -- all overheard by a 911 operator.

Just after midnight on Friday morning, Boulder Police dispatch received what was initially described as a 911 hangup. But the line remained open, and the operator heard plenty, including loud noises, yelling and comments that included, "Don't kill me."

As officers rolled to a location in the vicinity of 31st Street and Pearl Parkway, dispatch kept them updated on the frantic dialogue picked up by the phone's receiver. Among the phrases heard:

"Please open the door."

"You just tried to kill me."

"I'm going to stomp your head into the concrete."

"Johnny, you're fucked up."

"They made me so scared I had to do this."

And finally: "Just please don't kill me."

At that point, the line went dead -- but it came back to life shortly thereafter. Someone named Mike -- later identified as Michael Giampino, 28 -- spoke briefly, but he was fearful he'd be overheard. However, he was able to tell dispatch he was near a shed. This information led officers to an abandoned building, where Waters was standing. Two bodies were on the ground nearby.

Waters, his face splashed with blood, told cops he had a knife in his pocket. After he surrendered the weapon, he told one of the officers that he had been sleeping when the two men tried to "choke him out," so he "defended himself." He added, "That's all you need to know. I plead the Fifth."

Nonetheless, Waters added more details shortly thereafter. He claimed to have been sleeping in a shed when "Johnny" -- the name he used for the still-unidentified man -- and another guy he didn't know (presumably Giampino) began bothering him, prompting his actions.

In contrast, the badly wounded Giampino said he'd been the one sleeping in the shed when Waters entered, speaking what sounded like gibberish. Then he felt pain in his back, chest and face as Waters began punching him. Worse followed.

By the way, Waters admitted to drinking that evening, but not a lot -- only a pint or so. As for the man known for now as Johnny, he was very drunk, and he didn't survive his wounds.

According to the Boulder District Attorney's Office, Waters appeared at an advisement hearing yesterday, during which he was told he'd been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He'll make another trip to court to hear formal charges on Thursday.

Look below to see a larger version of Waters's mug shot, as well as the aforementioned arrest report.

Charles Waters (1).jpg
Charles Edward Waters.

Charles Edward Waters Arrest Report

Click here to follow and like the Michael Roberts/Westword Facebook page.

More from our Mile High Murder archive: "Mark Sepulveda, Juan Carlos murder suspect, confirmed killed in cell-phone store robbery."

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy
Sign up for free stuff, news info & more!

Tools

Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy