Heather Cushman Found Not Guilty

Late last night, a jury found Heather Cushman not guilty of murder in the second degree.

In September of 2024, the Loveland Police Department received a call from Heather Cushman reporting that she had stabbed her father, John “Clint” Cushman, in his home.

When officers arrived, they found Clint Cushman deceased from multiple stab wounds. Heather Cushman was arrested and charged with murder in the second degree, a class two felony.

The seven-day jury trial began on September 2nd and was led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Hardouin and Deputy District Attorney Leeah Lechuga. Throughout the trial, Ms. Cushman’s involvement in Clint Cushman’s death was not in question, but rather, as Ms. Cushman’s defense argued, whether the affirmative defense of self-defense applied.

Self-defense arguments are incredibly complex and fact-specific, and a defendant has the right to present those claims. Ultimately, it is up to the members of the jury to determine the validity of those arguments.

Throughout the course of the trial, members of Clint Cushman’s family sat in the courtroom to honor his memory.

As a part of this release, they asked us to include the following statement: 
“We are very disappointed with this outcome and in the jury’s decision. We believe that Heather is a risk not only to our family, but to the community at large. But we are grateful to the Loveland Police Department and the District Attorney’s office for fighting for justice for our father, brother, uncle, and friend.”

“We respect the jury’s decision that they could not find Ms. Cushman guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and appreciate the time they spent weighing the facts on such an important case,” said Gordon McLaughlin. “I am proud of our team for fighting for justice for Mr. Cushman and his family.”