Judge denies bond reduction for assault, kidnapping suspect

A Pitkin County judge refused to reduce bond Monday for an Aspen assault and kidnapping suspect, citing the severity of the alleged crimes.

Pitkin County District Judge Laura Makar denied a request to have Nathan Keen’s bond reduced from $75,000 to a $5,000 cash bond or $30,000 surety bond.

Keen, who turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 6 following a local manhunt, faces multiple felony charges for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting an Aspen woman on Independence Pass before driving her around the state between July 5 and July 7 with his codefendant, Vanessa Leighton.

The victim told police that she and Keen had previously had a intimate relationship, as did Keen and Leighton, according to a police affidavit.

The suspects allegedly threatened the victim with a pistol, beat her repeatedly, squirted her with sunscreen and hand sanitizer, and verbally abused her, among other allegations, before forcing her to accompany them to Buena Vista, Gunnison, Ouray, and Montrose, according to the affidavit. The victim told police she lost consciousness multiple times while she was beaten.

Earlier this month, Makar lowered Leighton’s bond, but on Monday reiterated that Keen is different than his codefendant in this case.

“The court does note that there’s a prior criminal record here,” Makar said. 

Keen’s defense attorney, Lauren Maytin, requested the bond reduction due to his two-year residence and his, “…history of appearing in court and his willingness to comply with GPS monitoring if released.” 

“Mr. Keen has been living in the same location, he did turn himself in on the warrant,” Maytin said.

Maytin said the defendant didn’t immediately turn himself in because he was trying to gather money for bond out of the Pitkin County jail. 

Keen’s alleged accomplice, Vanessa Leighton, had been in custody for eight days before Keen turned himself in.

Several people crowded the courtroom in support of the victim, who was represented by Alison Mahoney. The victim said she strongly opposed any bond reduction, citing her ongoing trauma and fear.

“I would like no reduction in the bond. I believe he (Nathan Keen) is a flight risk and he’s dangerous to our community,” the victim stated in the courtroom alongside her legal counsel.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Whiting added that Keen should remain in custody.

“At least from the prosecution side, I believe the main risk to the victim here is of extreme importance … as she is a primary and sole witness for much of the charges in this case,” Whiting said, adding, “Keen did not turn himself in on an active warrant that he was well aware of for many, many days.”

Makar advised Keen to apply for a public defender as Lauren Maytin’s defense was only temporary. Keen will next appear in the Pitkin County Courthouse at 10 a.m. Sept. 22.