Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories

Episode: Did this ex police officer get a fair trial?
Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: James Ashby, former Colorado Police Officer
Release Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the controversial case of James Ashby, a former Colorado police officer convicted of second-degree murder after a fatal officer-involved shooting. Ashby shares his side of the story for the first time, detailing the incident, the aftermath, and the trauma endured through his arrest, trial, and eight-year incarceration. The discussion challenges media portrayals, explores the fairness of his trial, and investigates the wider implications for law enforcement officers today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Incident: What Happened That Night (03:48–09:04)

• Initial Call: Ashby responded to a report of an attempted break-in. The suspect was gone from the immediate area when he arrived.
• Ride-Along Present: At 2 a.m., Ashby encountered a man matching the earlier description while accompanied by a ride-along.
• Confrontation: The suspect refused commands, headed toward a house, kicked at a door, and struck Ashby with a skateboard during an attempted arrest.
• Escalation Inside: A struggle ensued inside the house. Ashby used pepper spray (which affected an uninvolved woman), then saw the suspect wielding a baseball bat in an "arcing motion".
• Use of Lethal Force: Fearing for his life, Ashby fired his weapon, called for backup and medical aid, and rendered assistance to the suspect.
• Aftermath: The baseball bat was hidden by a woman in the home—something later critical to the investigation.

"He starts pulling me into the home. I'm tugging on him. ... I could see it winding up—he was spinning to strike me with the bat. I jumped back, hollered 'drop the bat,' fired my weapon."
— James Ashby (06:54)

2. Media Coverage and Public Perception (09:04–13:40)

• Immediate Media Spin: Ashby felt the media rushed to publish misleading reports before facts were verified. He claims his perspective was never sought or represented.
• Host's Critique: Wiley discusses longstanding media bias and the importance of giving officers a direct platform.

"The media doesn't care about our story. ... They are concerned with getting attention so they can sell more advertising."
— John J. Wiley (09:23)

3. The Aftermath: Trauma and Abandonment (13:40–15:33)

• No Support: Ashby describes being told to leave town for his own safety as protests erupted, then receiving no psychological support from the department.
• Ongoing Emotional Toll: He still struggles emotionally with the loss of life and how things unfolded.

"I've never met any police officer that wants to take a life. ... It was such a traumatic event already. ... The department never offered psychological help."
— James Ashby (13:42)

4. Prosecution, Trial, and Questionable Fairness (15:33–30:27)

• Character Attack: Ashby was portrayed as a "rageaholic" despite an exemplary service record.
• Deadly Weapon Debate: The prosecution argued that the baseball bat was not a deadly weapon, calling it a "child's toy," and criticized Ashby for not using non-lethal tools, which he says weren’t available.
• Expectations on Officers: The court suggested officers must retreat in lethal encounters—an interpretation Ashby calls "dangerous precedent."
• Questionable Testimony: At trial, the jury was told that the baseball bat may have been hidden by a cat, which Ashby calls absurd.
• Fabricated Evidence Claim: Ashby alleges evidence was intentionally misrepresented, notably regarding where shots were fired and whether he staged the scene.
• Grand Jury Skipped: Charges went directly to trial on the DA’s decision, which Ashby and Wiley both question as politically motivated.

"They said at some point, 'Well, you should have let him hit you and see if he was serious about it.'"
— James Ashby (19:12)

"It was fabricated. Just intentionally fabricated."
— James Ashby (26:27)

• Jury Misconduct: Ashby reports that jurors—including the foreperson—communicated with the victim’s family during trial, which the judge openly dismissed as irrelevant.

"They caught the jury foreperson talking to the guy's family, passing notes. ... The judge said, 'Well, we don't think it matters.'"
— James Ashby (29:45)

5. Conviction and Incarceration (34:03–39:33)

• Sentencing: Ashby received eight years (prosecution requested 48).
• Solitary Confinement: Spent nearly a year in solitary, endured severe loneliness, and found solace in faith.
• Prison Life: Initially considered "a dirty cop" and shunned by staff, but ultimately experienced moments of compassion from fellow inmates—especially during family tragedy.

"I was in solitary for almost a year...I talked to a spider named Lieutenant Dan. That's how alone I was."
— James Ashby (34:54)

• Faith and Resilience: Describes a spiritual experience that reinforced his will to survive and help others in prison.

6. Reflection and Mission Going Forward (41:29–43:37)

• No Guilt: Ashby maintains he acted appropriately given the threat, feels pain but no guilt.
• Advocacy: Runs the "Prisoner of War on Police" Facebook page to share evidence, clear his name, and prevent similar cases for other officers.
• Open Records: Will provide court filings and evidence to anyone interested, criticizing the DA's unwillingness to supply full documentation.
• Call to Action: Aims to start a broader conversation about officer prosecutions and the justice system’s failures.

"I will give you any piece of the case you want, any piece of evidence, any court filing. The DA's office still to this day will only tell their side."
— James Ashby (43:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being labeled 'ex' police:
  "You can decide whether James is ex or not and whether they got a fair trial or not."
  — John J. Wiley (30:27)

• On compassion in incarceration:
  "It wasn't police officers that reached out and said, 'Hey man, we got you.' It was inmates that came to the cell and, you know, said, 'Hey man...I'm here for you.'" — James Ashby (37:50)

• On his ongoing mission:
  "I want people to be able to see both sides and make their own conclusion." — James Ashby (43:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ashby recounts shooting incident: 03:48 – 09:04
• Media portrayal & public reaction: 09:04 – 13:40
• Department support & personal impact: 13:40 – 15:33
• Trial details & fairness concerns: 15:33 – 30:27
• Jury misconduct revelations: 29:45 – 30:27
• Conviction, sentencing, and prison experiences: 34:03 – 39:33
• Reflections on guilt, advocacy for others: 41:29 – 43:37

Episode Tone

The tone is direct, frank, and emotionally charged—reflecting both the frustrations of systemic injustice and the resilience found in Ashby’s personal journey. Wiley’s style is supportive, offering a compassionate, insider perspective for both law enforcement and the public.

Connect with the Guest

• Find James Ashby’s story and resources:
  Prisoner of War on Police Facebook Page

Conclusion

This episode raises critical questions about police use of force, justice system accountability, and media narratives. Listeners are invited to consider all sides, challenge assumptions, and seek deeper truth in stories often summarized too simply.