Commerce City, Colorado — A local woman has been convicted in the murder of her boyfriend, a case that began with a casual conversation on a bus and escalated into a deadly plot. Ashley White, 29, was found guilty of second-degree murder among other charges linked to the 2020 death of 28-year-old Cody DeLisa. Their shared home became a crime scene after DeLisa was fatally shot, a culmination of what authorities described as a tumultuous relationship marred by frequent arguments over employment and alleged mistreatment.
Tensions had been running high between White and DeLisa, primarily over White’s struggles to find stable employment, a situation DeLisa reportedly criticized routinely. This strife took a dark turn on August 13, 2020, when White’s frustration with her boyfriend reached a breaking point following a disheartening job interview in Denver.
Disappointed and feeling belittled, White confided in a stranger she met on her bus ride home. The man, who introduced himself as Scott, listened to White’s grievances and together, they hatched a plan to murder DeLisa. Within hours of their meeting, the pair had carried out their plan, leaving DeLisa with fatal gunshot wounds to his head.
Although it was unclear who exactly fired the shots, evidence showed that White and Scott had practiced using the firearm prior to the murder. The duo proceeded to steal DeLisa’s wallet and spent several days nearby before parting ways. Scott, whose real identity was later confirmed as Michael Stratton, disappeared after the incident.
The breakthrough in the case came when Stratton’s girlfriend approached the Adams County District Attorney’s office in 2023, claiming Stratton had confessed his involvement in the 2020 murder. Her account coincided sharply with White’s version of events disclosed during the investigation. Interestingly, Stratton had also been connected to another, separate murder and was deemed incompetent to stand trial for that case.
White’s trial commenced on January 6 and stretched over three weeks, filled with testimonies that painted a grim picture of the events leading to DeLisa’s death. The jury ultimately convicted White of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, and robbery.
District Attorney Brian Mason commented on the verdict, emphasizing the severity of the crime. “This was a tragic and senseless murder,” Mason stated. “Ashley White bears significant culpability for it. Her callous actions led to the victim’s death and now she will pay a significant price.”
White is set to be sentenced on April 4, bringing a measure of closure to a case that highlights the severe consequences of personal grievances spiraling out of control. This incident not only underscores the complexities of interpersonal relationships but also serves as a stark reminder of the extreme lengths to which individuals might go when distressed.