Accused iPad thief in Colorado accused of trying to have robbery victim killed

Accused iPad thief faces attempted-murder charge

DENVER — A man suspected of mangling a shopper’s finger while stealing an iPad has been accused of trying to arrange to have the victim killed.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey filed a charge of attempted first-degree murder Tuesday against 20-year-old Brandon Smith.

Smith is also charged with robbery and third-degree assault in the theft of an iPad from 59-year-old Bill Jordan in a Denver shopping mall in April. Jordan’s left pinky was so badly mangled when it became entangled in a bag yanked from his hand that part of it had to be amputated.

Authorities say deputies at the jail intercepted a letter by Smith in which he tried to arrange Jordan’s death. He’s due in court Thursday to be informed of the new charge against him.