By Marsha R. Triplett

DEL NORTE - Controversy is still swirling around comments made by Rio Grande County Sheriff Desi Medina Feb. 27 in a regular open session of the Rio Grande County Commissioners.

During the meeting, Medina dropped a bombshell concerning the investigation of the disappearance of Danice Day, a Monte Vista resident missing since Jan. 9.

Medina told those present he thought he knew how Day died and proceeded to describe the manner of her alleged death.

On Feb. 28, the sheriff said, in conversation, "Yesterday was a mistake. I said it in confidence as to how I think he [the perpetrator] did it, not in the capacity of Sheriff." Medina said he believed his comments were off the record.

Valley Publishing attempted to secure minutes of the meeting, but was first told the minutes could not be delivered until approved.

In a second call asking whether a tape of the minutes had been made, Valley Publishing was told the minutes were not taped.

Further, Rio Grande County Administrator Suzanne Benton said a protective order had been placed on the minutes of the meeting by District Attorney Peter Comar.

Valley Publishing contacted Colorado Press Association Attorney Steve Zansberg to determine if a protective order could legally be placed on the records of a public meeting.

Zansberg said he spoke with Comar and Benton and informed Valley Publishing that a protective order was never in place and the minutes could not be legally suppressed.

Contacted on Tuesday, March 19, Benton said Rio Grande County Attorney William Dunn originally spoke with Assistant District Attorney Mike Iozzo regarding the minutes in question after comments pertaining to the Day investigation were made by Medina during the commissioners' meeting.

According to Benton, Iozzo said he would speak with Comar and a protective order would be placed on the minutes. Benton said she had still not received the order last week and on Thursday faxed the portion of the minutes in question to Comar for review. Benton had still not heard anything from Comar and told Valley Publishing Tuesday that the minutes would be approved Thursday during the commissioners' meeting and would be available to the public. Contacted about the matter, Comar said the minutes were public record and therefore could not be sealed.

Day Investigation Continues

The ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of Day has produced little new information that can be released at this time according to Rio Grande County Undersheriff Charles Martinez. The Rio Grande Sheriff's Office (RGSO) is working with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the case.

Martinez said a six-man CBI forensic team recently conducted tests at Day's residence, as well as on a boat belonging to Vern Braun, father of Day's boyfriend Victor Braun. Martinez said information on what was discovered during the forensic investigation could not be disclosed. He did say the team was looking for hair fibers, fingerprints, blood spatters, saliva and semen, among other things.

The undersheriff said the CBI executed a warrant on a gravesite just outside a fenced area of the Rock Creek Cemetery. Near the gravesite was a rock with D + V scratched on it. The site yielded the bodies of two animals.

CBI and RGSO have conducted interviews with present and past employees of the Dos Rios Restaurant, where Day was employed at the time of her disappearance.

Employees of Carnegie Library in Monte Vista and Rainbow Grocery, both establishments where Day had previously worked, also have been interviewed, Martinez said.