Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said at a news conference that followed the plea hearing that he went to North Carolina to speak with the Rzucek family -- Shanann's family -- in order to talk about the possibilities of prosecution in the case. That came after Watts' attorneys approached Rourke and prosecutors about a deal, Rourke said.
Rourke said he explained the "extraordinary delays" that are seen in current death penalty cases, including the Nathan Dunlap case, and that the Rzuceks wanted a quicker resolution in the case.
"That, to me, was the most important consideration in deciding how to proceed with this case," Rourke said.
Rourke blamed Gov. John Hickenlooper for his stance on the death penalty, which Hickenlooper has refused to carry out while he is in office, as part of the reason for going to North Carolina to discuss the plea options with Shanann's family.
The Rzuceks also appeared at the news conference with Rourke and other law enforcement agencies but did not speak. Rourke said he was "saddened" he had to meet the Rzucek family under the circumstances of their daughter's and granddaughters' deaths and said he would give the family time to decide how they wanted to proceed with Watts' sentencing.
[snip]
Watts originally faced the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The death penalty was taken off the table as part of the deal. The Weld County District Attorney's Office said the deal was made with the agreement of Shanann's family.