In a controversial legal decision that has sparked public debate and concern, Solomon Galligan, a transgender registered sex offender who now identifies as Carmen, was released from custody in Colorado after a judge dismissed charges related to an attempted kidnapping. The incident occurred at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora in April 2024, where Galligan allegedly tried to abduct an 11-year-old boy during recess.
Galligan was deemed mentally incompetent by medical evaluators, which, according to a 2024 amendment to Colorado's competency law, necessitated the automatic dismissal of charges. The law specifies that if a defendant is found permanently incompetent to stand trial, the case must be dismissed. This decision has left many worried about the safety and accountability measures in place for individuals like Galligan who have a history of sexual offenses and mental health issues.
Ryan Brackley, assistant district attorney in Colorado's 18th Judicial District, expressed frustration with the statute. He underscored the dangers of a "revolving door" in the criminal and civil justice systems that fails to provide secure mental health treatment for those unfit to stand trial. Brackley's concerns resonate with the community's unease about the potential risks of releasing individuals who may still pose a threat.
Galligan's legal representative commented on the state's flawed system post-dismissal, while family members, including Galligan's sister Sarah, have voiced their apprehensions about the community's safety. Sarah Galligan highlighted her brother's long struggle with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as the systemic challenges in securing proper institutional care due to a shortage of mental health facility beds—a situation reported by Denver7 in October 2023 to be ongoing.
The father of the attempted abduction victim, Dante White, shared the traumatic impact the incident had on his son and other children, who have since required therapy. White criticized Colorado's mental health institutions for lacking resources to detain individuals like Galligan, leading to repeated offenses.
Aurora Police Association President David Exstrom also lamented the judicial system's failure to protect the children involved. The long-term effects on the children's trust in law enforcement and the judicial system are a source of concern.
The case is further complicated by Galligan's public announcement of a gender transition in 2011, which preceded a conviction for non-consensual sexual contact and registration as a sex offender. Surveillance footage from the April 2024 incident shows the chaotic scene where Galligan allegedly ran toward the students, resulting in a police arrest at a nearby Walgreens.
The district attorney's office stated that Galligan is currently in a treatment center, with release conditional upon a professional's assessment of no longer being a public threat. This case exemplifies the tension between legal processes in dealing with mentally incompetent offenders and the community's need for safety and justice.
