The plot thickens.....

Aunt of Berthoud teen focus of inquiry

'THORNTON - Police are conducting an inquiry into allegations of a conflict of interest by one of the department's most visible officers, Lt. Lori Moriarty, and her involvement in a crash investigation in which her nephew lost his legs.

The Colorado State Patrol's accident reconstruction report shows Moriarty asked to be involved in the investigation from the start, held the camera of a video-taped reenactment of the scene that was submitted for evidence and even questioned the investigators' findings after the report was finished.

Thornton Police Chief Jim Nursey announced the inquiry into the allegations Tuesday.

"I stress, if it's been determined that regulations of the police department have been violated, then appropriate action will be taken," Nursey said.

The Thornton Police Department has a policy that states in part: Officers shouldn't investigate, participate in or render advice concerning any criminal case involving a relative.

Moriarty, who gained national recognition through her work with the North Metro Drug Task Force, is also Tyler Carron's aunt. The Berthoud teenager lost his legs, as did his friend Nikko Landeros, on Jan. 15 in an accident on highway 17 in rural Weld County.

The two were changing a tire when they were hit late at night after leaving a school dance. Court records filed by the driver's attorney show both of the boys had been drinking and were parked in the middle of the southbound lane when the crash occurred.

The driver who hit the teens, 17-year-old Michelle Berra, has been charged with two counts of careless driving resulting in injuries. Berra was never tested for drugs or alcohol following the crash.

9NEWS left several messages with Moriarty Tuesday. None of our calls were returned.

Denver attorney and 9NEWS legal analyst Scott Robinson says this kind of involvement by a relative who happens to be in law enforcement could impact the case.

"Anything that taints the quality of the investigation is fair game for the defense," Robinson said in an interview with 9NEWS.

According to the State Patrol's report, mailed anonymously to 9NEWS, Moriarty asked to be at the scene as investigators conducted a reenactment. The report also shows Moriarty actually videotaped the reenactment tests that were submitted to the Larimer County District Attorney's office as evidence.'