In a quiet courtroom Thursday, a man once adamant about his innocence changed his plea—and accepted responsibility for a violent carjacking that ended in the death of a local woman.
Nathaniel Buchmann, originally charged with murder in the 2024 killing of 62-year-old Dorothy King, has now pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree motor vehicle theft. The plea deal could put him behind bars for up to five decades.
What Happened That Day in April
It was a normal Wednesday afternoon when King, a longtime employee of Bingo World, was attacked outside her workplace.
According to Colorado Springs police, on April 17, 2024, King had just stepped into the parking lot when Buchmann approached her. She tried to fight him off. Witnesses later said she resisted. Surveillance footage, reviewed during early hearings, captured the chaos that followed.
King was thrown from her vehicle during the struggle. She hit the ground hard. Despite immediate aid from coworkers and first responders, she died at the scene.
She didn’t make it to the hospital.
A Change in Plea—And a Deal
Buchmann initially pleaded not guilty after his arrest, which came less than 24 hours after the attack. Police found him in a nearby neighborhood driving King’s stolen car.
But in court this week, everything changed.
According to KKTV and reporters present in the courtroom, Buchmann entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and motor vehicle theft. In exchange, a separate criminal case from 2023—details of which have not been disclosed publicly—is expected to be dropped.
He now faces 48 years in prison for the murder charge, and between 4 and 12 years for the theft. The judge will decide in October whether those sentences will run at the same time or one after the other.
That decision could make the difference between Buchmann serving 48 years—or 60.
A Life Cut Short
King’s death shook the Colorado Springs community. Friends described her as warm, no-nonsense, and fiercely protective of her coworkers. She had worked at Bingo World for years and was said to love her job—even after retirement age.
“She was one of those people who knew everyone’s name and made you feel welcome,” said one former colleague, who didn’t want to be named. “It wasn’t just a job for her. She liked taking care of people.”
Her family declined to speak with media following the plea change. But a relative in a prior vigil said, “She deserved better. We all do.”
What Comes Next
Sentencing is scheduled for October 27. The courtroom is expected to be full.
At that time, the judge will rule on whether Buchmann’s sentences should run concurrently (at the same time) or consecutively (one after the other).
Here’s what’s on the table:
| Charge | Plea | Sentence Range | Final Sentence Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second-Degree Murder | Guilty | 48 years | Fixed at 48 years |
| First-Degree Auto Theft | Guilty | 4 to 12 years | TBD by judge |
Prosecutors have not publicly commented on the plea deal. But courtroom observers say it seemed to bring a small measure of resolution to a case that’s dragged on for over a year.
One Sentence, Two Stories
The legal side of the story is almost wrapped. But for the people involved, the ending is more complicated.
King’s family lost a loved one they weren’t ready to lose. Buchmann, 30 at the time of the attack, now faces the bulk of his adult life in prison. And a community that gathered around a parking lot memorial in 2024 is left remembering a day that changed everything—for no good reason.
“She was just going to work,” a coworker said, standing outside the courthouse. “Now we bring flowers to her parking space.”
