Attorneys representing a 17-year-old from Steamboat Springs who is accused of stabbing a local woman in April 2024 requested Friday that the juvenile be transported to Routt County for his next court appearance in a case that may go to trial.

The juvenile, Holt LeMaster, was arrested April 23, 2024 after allegedly breaking into a home on Mark Twain Court where a local preschool teacher, Kylie Leggett, 29, was house-sitting. Upon entering the home, LeMaster allegedly stabbed Leggett twice in the abdomen.

LeMaster was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree and criminal attempt to commit first-degree burglary, all of which are felonies.

In early March, 14th Judicial District Court Chief Judge Brittany Schneider ruled that LeMaster would be tried as an adult.

That ruling came after almost a year of deliberation after prosecutors filed a petition to try LeMaster as an adult on April 30, 2024.

On the early morning of April 23, 2024, Leggett was alone in the home where she was house-sitting when LeMaster tried to enter the property through a sliding glass door, according to the court order.

Leggett opened the sliding door and “began pushing at the intruder and screaming,” then “she felt something wet,” according to court documents. The intruder then allegedly “ran off” and Leggett locked the door and called 911.

Leggett allegedly said she “did not feel pain immediately but recalled feeling blood,” according to court documents.

The court document 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 Schneider’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.”

Since his arrest, LeMaster has remained in custody at the Grand Mesa Youth Services Center in Grand Junction without bond.

During a Friday appearance, LeMaster’s defense attorneys, Public Defenders Kate Bush and Chris Hamsher, stated that they plan to file a motion to transport LeMaster from Grand Mesa Youth Services Center to the Routt County Jail to appear in person for his next court date in June.

In court on Friday, Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci stated that he “imagines” the prosecution and defense will “set up for a trial” during LeMaster’s next court appearance.

The current direction of the case pivots from previous plea deal negotiations, which were reportedly in discussion during a status conference in March.

The 14th Judicial District Attorney’s office declined to provide comment on the direction of the case following the court proceedings on Friday afternoon.

During the status conference, Bush also stated LeMaster will be turning 18-years-old on June 19 and will be eligible for bond once he is a legal adult. However, Bush added that LeMaster would likely continue to be held with no bond.

LeMaster’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 2.

“As frustrated as everyone may be about this being delayed again, we need to keep in mind that this is the legal system,” said Leggett following the proceeding. “It takes time. And I want to do the community and myself right. I want to make sure that I can keep us safe, and if we have to keep pushing it off, we have to keep pushing it off.”

Leggett said she hopes LeMaster stays in custody for the safety of the community and because she continues to deal with the effects of the stabbing every day, noting that she consistently has to go to the hospital for check-ups and health complications.

“I know I look fine, but I don’t feel fine,” she said. “I’m not healthy, and I’m still having a ton of complications and (LeMaster) doesn’t deserve to be out.”

“I just want to thank the community again,” Leggett continued. “I always feel their support.”

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

Editor’s note: Every person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent unless and until their guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.