Commerce City, Colorado — A local woman has been convicted of orchestrating the fatal shooting of her boyfriend in 2020, following a prolonged period of personal and emotional conflict. Ashley White, 29, was found guilty of second-degree murder among other charges for the death of 28-year-old Cody DeLisa, as confirmed by Adams County District Attorney Brian Mason.
The relationship between White and DeLisa was reportedly fraught with volatility, marked by DeLisa’s repeated criticisms of White’s inability to find steady employment. This ongoing strain reached a breaking point after an interaction that profoundly affected White. Following a job interview in Denver in August 2020, DeLisa expressed doubts about White’s prospects of securing the position, which authorities highlighted as a significant trigger in the chain of events that led to his murder.
According to investigators, on her journey back from the interview, an upset White encountered a man who identified himself only as “Scott” on the bus. The two struck up a conversation during which White shared her grievances about DeLisa’s allegedly abusive behavior. The duo then conspired to kill DeLisa, formulating a plan before disembarking the bus and heading to the home White shared with DeLisa. DeLisa was fatally shot twice in the head shortly after their arrival; his body was discovered the following day.
Officials have yet to publicly confirm who actually fired the shots killing DeLisa. However, it was disclosed that prior to the murder, White and Scott had practiced using Scott’s gun. Following DeLisa’s death, the pair reportedly stole his wallet and spent several days in the vicinity before Scott disappeared. White later claimed to authorities that she had not seen Scott since.
In a twist that further complicated the case, in 2023, the girlfriend of Michael Stratton, another individual with alleged connections to the crime, approached the district attorney’s office. She claimed that Stratton, who was also arrested and found incompetent to stand trial for a separate murder, had admitted to his involvement in DeLisa’s death. Her description of events corroborated the narrative provided by White about the murder.
White’s trial commenced on January 6, and she was convicted after three weeks of testimony, facing charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, and robbery. District Attorney Mason described the murder as “tragic and senseless,” pinning significant blame on White for her role in the crime. According to Mason, “Her callous actions led to the victim’s death and now she will pay a significant price.”
White is scheduled for sentencing on April 4, as the community and all involved await final closure on this deeply distressing chapter. This case has highlighted the severe consequences of personal grievances escalating into violent crime, shedding light on the devastating impact of emotional and psychological distress left unaddressed.