Colorado woman convicted of killing her boyfriend after he doubted her job prospects

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (TCN) -- A 29-year-old woman has been convicted in the shooting death of her husband after he belittled her chances of getting a job.

The District Attorney’s Office for Adams and Broomfield counties announced Jan. 28 that a jury found Ashley White guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, and robbery in connection with the 2020 death of her boyfriend, 28-year-old Cody DeLisa. She is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4.

According to prosecutors, White and DeLisa’s relationship had become "volatile" and "strained" months before the killing. DeLisa reportedly “criticized White for her struggles in securing full-time employment, which contributed to tension between the two.” White “expressed resentment” and wrote in her diary that she "regretted ever meeting DeLisa."

The friction grew, and White even tried to drown and burn her boyfriend’s cat.

A neighbor reportedly drove White to a job interview in Denver on Aug. 13, 2020, and she returned via bus, messaging her boyfriend about the experience. According to prosecutors, "DeLisa expressed skepticism about her chances of getting the job," which angered White.

White reportedly met a man on the bus who said his name was Scott. Scott asked White if she was in a relationship and whether her boyfriend had raped her, to which she said yes. Scott then allegedly told White that they "must kill him."

White and Scott exited the bus away from the defendant’s home and reportedly fired Scott’s gun. The district attorney’s office said the two walked to White’s residence, and Scott told DeLisa he was White’s brother from Texas. DeLisa was later shot twice in the head, and authorities found his body the following day during a welfare check.

White and Scott reportedly took the victim’s wallet and exited the home before Scott left days later. White never saw Scott again. Investigators identified White as a suspect, and officials with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office took her into custody on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.

Michael Stratton’s girlfriend reached out to the district attorney’s office three years after the victim’s death and said she believed her boyfriend killed DeLisa. The girlfriend’s statement and description matched White’s account. Stratton was already in custody for a separate killing after DeLisa’s shooting death. Stratton has been deemed incompetent to stand trial in that case and has not been charged in connection with DeLisa’s slaying.  

In a statement, District Attorney Brian Mason said, "This was a tragic and senseless murder and Ashley White bears significant culpability for it. Her callous actions led to the victim’s death and now she will pay a significant price."

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