(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Closing arguments took place on Tuesday, April 15 in the murder trial of Nicholas Jordan, the man accused of shooting and killing two people at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) in February of 2024.
Jordan is accused of shooting and killing UCCS student Samuel Koop and mom of two Celie Montgomery on Feb. 16, 2024. Jordan previously entered a plea of not guilty, and the case went to trial on April 8.
FOX21’s Jessica Livingstone was in the courtroom on Tuesday, and said three witnesses took the stand ahead of closing arguments. Jordan himself elected not to take the stand.
During closing arguments, the defense said that Jordan was a man going through struggles–after having a younger brother murdered and a car broken into–he felt the need to get a gun. In addition, the defense claimed that Knopp and other roommates had a “wolf pack” mentality against Jordan.
The defense argued that Jordan was at the dorm room to use the restroom when he was confronted by Knopp, and Jordan had no other choice but to defend himself. The defense said Montgomery was simply an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
Image from March 18, 2024 status conference for Nicholas Jordan.
The prosecution argued that this was not self-defense and was instead intentional, given that the positions of both Knopp and Montgomery and the trajectory of gunshots proved that the pair was defenseless at the time of the shooting. The prosecution also referenced death threats by Jordan to Knopp in the past, as well as internet queries made by Jordan before the shooting, which allegedly searched how to get away with the crime.
After closing arguments, the jury will begin deliberation, which is expected to be lengthy. FOX21 News and Jessica Livingstone will be following this story and will provide updates as information becomes available.
