JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – The parole hearing for a woman convicted of helping dispose of a dismembered body is causing outrage among the family of the victim. Lila Atencio, who was 17 at the time of the murder, is up for parole just months after being sentenced to six years in prison for her involvement in the 2019 killing of Joseph Brinson.
Brinson was shot to death at his rural Jefferson County home on Jan. 16, 2019. Atencio, while not present during the murder, assisted two men in loading Brinson’s dismembered body into trash bags and disposing of the remains in a remote area of eastern Arapahoe County.
The family of the victim is expressing concern that Atencio is being considered for parole while the other two perpetrators are serving lengthy prison sentences. Atencio’s role in the crime and her potential release from prison have caused distress among Brinson’s loved ones.
In the winter of 2018, tensions between Brinson and his roommate, William Irvine, escalated to the point where Irvine began discussing killing his roommate. Atencio, along with another acquaintance, was present during these discussions. The situation reached its horrific conclusion when, on January 16, 2019, Brinson was shot and dismembered in their shared home.
After significant delays due to the pandemic, the two men involved in the murder have been convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Atencio cooperated with authorities and led them to Brinson’s head, resulting in a more lenient sentencing in exchange for her testimony.
Despite being sentenced to two years of work-release and six years of probation, Atencio violated the terms of her work-release and probation, leading to her resentencing to six years in prison. Due to time served and sentencing credit, she became eligible for parole just months after her resentencing.
As Atencio’s parole hearing approaches, Brinson’s family is advocating against her release, expressing their devastation and concern over the potential parole of a perpetrator in such a heinous crime.
Joseph Brinson’s murder and the subsequent legal proceedings have caused profound anguish for his family, who feel that justice has not been fully served in this case.