By Shannon Lukens.
Holt Lemaster entered a guilty plea in Routt County Court Friday morning. The 18-year-old pled guilty to 1st Degree Assault, for a knife attack on a local pre-school teacher in April of 2024, when she was house-sitting for a family during spring break. 29-year-old Kylie Leggett was stabbed twice in the abdomen.
Sentencing is December 5.
Lemaster will be sentenced to between four and six years at the Youthful Offender System in Pueblo (YOS), which is the only facility of its kind in Colorado. It’s for juveniles convicted of certain offenses. He has to be screened with a pre-sentence investigation order, and accepted by the warden to see if he is deemed acceptable.
From the YOS website, on Intake Classification: The initial inmate classification is completed at intake to determine the incarcerated individual’s initial custody level and facility assignment. The intake classification will utilize the inmate’s criminal, educational, and employment history, the severity of the offense for which they were convicted, and behavior during their time in county jail to determine their initial classification. Classifications are completed in accordance with the process and per the criteria outlined in Administrative Regulation 600-01 Offender Classification.
If not, Lemaster could be sentenced to up to 17 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections by Routt County Judge Billy-George Hertzke.
At the sentencing on December 5, Judge Hertzke will announce the sentence at the Youthful Offender System and announce the suspended sentence to the Department of Corrections. If Lemaster does something unacceptable during his time at the facility in Pueblo, he will automatically be sentenced to the Department of Corrections.
Regarding Reclassification, the YOS website says, “An inmate’s classification after the initial intake classification is primarily driven by his or her behavior during their incarceration.”
The woman injured in the case, Kylie Leggett, as agreed to the plea, according to Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci, who says Lemaster pled guilty to the top charge of 1st degree assault which is Felony Level 3.
The plea agreement also asks for restitution for Crime Victim Compensation in the amount of $8,168.71, and any other restitution to be considered that must be submitted within 35 days.
Lemaster is currently in the Routt County Jail.
Sentencing is at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.
- Sept. 19, 2025 — Lemaster sentencing scheduled for Dec. 5
- March 3, 2025 — Juvenile charged with stabbing local pre-school teacher will be tried as an adult
- Feb. 2, 2025 — Judge hears closing arguments on whether to try juvenile suspect as an adult in the case involving the stabbing of a local pre-school teacher
- May 30, 2024 — Pre-school teacher Kylie Leggett returns after 30 days in the hospital
United Way sends word they are grateful for those who showed up Friday to donate on their big annual fall fundraiser in both Craig and Steamboat Springs. United Way of the Yampa Valley raised just over $20K in both communities.
The intersection at Central Park Drive and Pine Grove Road will be closed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for paving. Detours are in place and marked.
“You gave a generation of young people the confidence to succeed in life. Congratulations on your retirement, you’ve earned it, and you will always be a part of the Steamboat Springs High School family.”
That’s Steamboat Springs High School Athletic Director Luke Dewolfe, thanking Head Volleyball Coach Wendy Hall for 39 years of coaching, during a retirement ceremony at the high school Saturday.
Through tears, Hall spoke of how everyone involved in the program has changed her life.
“Players, coaches, and families, and parents who continue to come back and support Sailor Volleyball. This is just an incredible ride. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Different speakers from over the years praised Coach Hall during the ceremony. Dewolfe said she has been a cornerstone of the volleyball program. He listed the following accomplishments during her career:
- State runner-up in 1998 and 2002
- Eight state tournament appearances
- Nineteen SSHS volleyball players have played collegiately
- Three played international professional volleyball
- A career record 575 wins and 298 losses
- Coaching career wins of 575 is the 7th all-time in Colorado state history for all classifications
- Career wins at one school of 575 – fifth of all time in Colorado
- Years as head coach – 37 from 1989-2025 which is second of all time in Colorado and at one school
- Wendy is the second volleyball coach ever at SSHS
- In 2024, Coach Hall was inducted into the 2025 Colorado Coaches Hall of Fame
Video of Coach Wendy Hall’s Speech
More on the Story – SSHS celebrates volleyball coach Wendy Hall upon her retirement
Plein Air Art Week continues this week in Steamboat Springs, Sept. 20-26, presented by the Steamboat Art Museum. Fifty Plein Air artists from around the country are in Steamboat Springs to paint the splendor of the Yampa Valley. Activities throughout the community and throughout the week can be found at SteamboatArtMuseum.org
In football…
Moffat County shut out Grand Valley, 48-0, Friday night.
SoRoCo lost to Rangely.
Steamboat Springs and Hayden had a bye this past weekend.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.