Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Cellmate in Denver Jail After Prior Murders

Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith faces 56 years in prison for the jail killing and 80 years for two prior unhoused victims' murders in Aurora.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:43am

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An extreme close-up of a pair of handcuffed hands against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic.A stark visual representation of the harsh realities faced by the incarcerated and unhoused in our society.Denver Today

A Colorado man named Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith has pleaded guilty to killing his cellmate in the Denver Jail last year, in addition to pleading guilty last month to killing two unhoused men in Aurora. Roybal-Smith was sentenced to a total of 56 years in prison for the jail killing and an additional 80 years for the Aurora murders, to be served concurrently.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violence against unhoused individuals and the challenges of addressing mental health and addiction issues within the criminal justice system. It also raises questions about jail safety and the need for better support and rehabilitation programs for inmates.

The details

Roybal-Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his 34-year-old cellmate, Vincent Chacon, in the Denver Jail on June 30, 2025. This incident occurred a day after Roybal-Smith had been arrested for the killings of two unhoused men, 27-year-old Jesse Shafer and 61-year-old Scott Davenport, in Aurora. Roybal-Smith is also under investigation for the 2022 killing of 42-year-old Margaret Eberhart in Englewood.

  • On March 30, 2026, Roybal-Smith pleaded guilty to the Aurora killings and was sentenced to 80 years in prison.
  • On April 10, 2026, Roybal-Smith pleaded guilty to the Denver Jail killing and was sentenced to an additional 48 years in prison, plus 8 years for a DUI, for a total of 56 years.
  • Roybal-Smith is due in Arapahoe County Court on April 28, 2026, to face a second-degree murder charge for the 2022 killing of Margaret Eberhart.

The players

Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith

A 38-year-old Colorado man who pleaded guilty to killing two unhoused men in Aurora, killing his cellmate in the Denver Jail, and is under investigation for another killing in Englewood.

Vincent Chacon

A 34-year-old man who was killed by Roybal-Smith while they were cellmates in the Denver Jail.

Jesse Shafer

A 27-year-old unhoused man killed by Roybal-Smith in Aurora.

Scott Davenport

A 61-year-old unhoused man killed by Roybal-Smith in Aurora.

Margaret Eberhart

A 42-year-old woman who was killed by Roybal-Smith in Englewood in 2022.

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What they’re saying

“In just over two days in Metro Denver, Ricky Roybal-Smith murdered three men in cold blood.”

— John Walsh, Denver District Attorney

What’s next

Roybal-Smith is due in Arapahoe County Court on April 28, 2026, to face a second-degree murder charge for the 2022 killing of Margaret Eberhart.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for better mental health and addiction support services, as well as improved safety measures in jails and prisons, to prevent such tragic and senseless acts of violence against vulnerable individuals in our communities.