The 17-year-old accused of stabbing a local woman who was house-sitting in April 2024 will be tried as an adult, according to a court order issued by 14th Judicial District Court Chief Judge Brittany Schneider.

The juvenile, Holt LeMaster of Steamboat Springs, was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home on Mark Twain Court where a local teacher, Kylie Leggett, 29, was house-sitting. Upon entering the home, LeMaster allegedly stabbed Leggett twice in the abdomen.

LeMaster is charged with criminal attempt to commit murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, criminal attempt to commit first-degree burglary, among other charges, according to the court order.

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LeMaster was texting with another juvenile who was on vacation with family on the early morning of April 23. Leggett was house-sitting the juvenile’s family home, according to the court order.

The text exchange escalated to an “argument” to the point that LeMaster “sought out (the other juvenile’s) home address, proceeded to that address armed with a knife and wearing a mask, with the intent to break into the home to do damage,” states the court order.

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According to the court order, Leggett was alone in the home with the family’s dog when LeMaster tried to enter through a sliding glass door. The dog began to growl and bark, and Leggett walked to the main living area and saw a flashlight on the deck.

The court order also states that LeMaster was allegedly wearing a ski mask. 

Leggett then opened the sliding door and “began pushing at the intruder and screaming,” according to the court order.

According to the court order, Leggett “felt something wet,” and the intruder “ran off.” She then locked the door and called 911.

Leggett “did not feel pain immediately but recalled feeling blood,” states the court order. 

The court order adds that Leggett was in the hospital for a month and underwent five surgeries. Leggett will also likely have a “portion of her pancreas removed at some point, which will render her diabetic.” 

“Prior to the incident, (Leggett) was a healthy young woman,” states the judge’s court order. “Following the incident, among other medical and psychological ailments, (Leggett) is unable to eat normally and will be unable to bear children.”

After Steamboat Springs police had searched LeMaster’s home following the incident, they found “a Gerber knife in a sheath on the couch in the living room,” a “red Tampa Bay Buccaneers T-shirt” and “four black face masks in the closet,” according to the court order.

The court order states that DNA tests were conducted on the evidence collected, and blood stains on the knife sheath and T-shirt matched Leggett’s DNA.

According to the court order, samples taken from the knife handle pointed to LeMaster, However, according to the court order, “DNA analysis conducted on the blade of the knife was not interpretable based on the state of the DNA on the knife blade.”

Cellphone records also support that LeMaster was at the home on Mark Twain Court at the time of the incident, adds the court order.

The court order also states that LeMaster was on probation for previous offenses at the time of the alleged break-in and stabbing, which gives “the court little confidence that juvenile facilities are adequate to ensure community safety upon (LeMaster’s) release.”

“(LeMaster) has received several opportunities to rehabilitate through the juvenile justice system,” continues the court order.

According to the court order, LeMaster has had “approximately seven incident reports” while in custody at Grand Mesa Youth Services in Grand Junction. Those include violent behavior and physical altercations.

The court order also states that LeMaster has repeatedly committed offenses in Routt County since 2018, with six filings on his record, as well as an assault charge in Denver.

The court order adds that LeMaster has had mental health issues and behavioral problems since early childhood and has witnessed and experienced abuse “at the hands of both parents.”

Notably, the court order continues that LeMaster “struggles to show empathy or understand his own emotions.”

The court order states that there is “no research” to indicate that “long periods of incarceration” in the juvenile justice system keep juveniles from reoffending, and then adds that prosecuting a juvenile as an adult makes them “more likely” to reoffend once released.

However, “the court has little confidence that (LeMaster) is likely to respond to the services provided” within the juvenile justice system, continues the court order.

The court document adds that the gravity of the offense poses an “interest of the community,” stating that people want to know their homes are “safe from predatory behaviors that result in violent outcomes at the hands of (LeMaster).”

Finally, the court order considers the impact of the offense on Leggett and the permanent physical and emotional damage that she experiences.

According to the court order, Leggett has described “not being able to use a kitchen knife because it causes her brain to go back to that night and the blood on her hands.”

“Visits to the hospital and medications have become a part of what she describes as the ‘new normal’ she is trying to find, all while dealing with trauma and fear that keeps her awake and night,” states the court order.

The court order concludes by granting the motion to transfer the case from juvenile court to district court, adding that the community would “not be better served by retaining jurisdiction in the juvenile court.”

The ruling comes after almost a year of deliberation, with prosecutors initially filing a petition to try LeMaster as an adult on April 30, 2024.

“I’m so happy we finally have an answer,” said Leggett following the ruling. “I have not received any good news throughout this journey, and it’s been almost a year. I’ve truly been knocked down every single day. This is the first time I have good news.”

“I am so much more than a teacher that got stabbed,” Leggett continued. “It makes me so happy that my voice was heard and that my voice is being heard for other victims that are tied up to this person. I am not the only person in this town that has been affected by him.”

Leggett added that she is extremely thankful to District Attorney Matt Karzen, Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci, Steamboat police Det. Sam Silva and Officer Lane Lee for their “diligent work.”

“They are the reason we got to have this judgment in our favor,” said Leggett.

During a court appearance on Tuesday, Bucci stated that he is filing a formal felony complaint to the Routt County District Court, which will move the case from juvenile court and allow LeMaster to be tried as an adult.

Leggett also emphasized her gratitude to the community for its continued support during the last year. 

“I know so many people who have been rallying behind me and supporting me,” said Leggett. “There’s many people that I haven’t even met that are supporting me and I just cannot thank everybody enough for standing by my side.”

LeMaster will remain in custody at Grand Mesa Youth Services Center for the time being and will appear virtually for his next court appearance on March 19.

To donate to Leggett’s GoFundMe dedicated to her recovery, visit GoFundMe.com/F/Support-Kylies-Road-To-Recovery.