FORT COLLINS - A Loveland man suspected of fatally bludgeoning and stabbing a process server was choking his children in their home Wednesday when deputies arrived, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office says, even though the kids were siding with him in a contentious divorce.

James Scott Whitler, 45, is being held at the Larimer County jail on suspicion of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.

Allen was struck 10 to 12 times on the head and stabbed three times in the abdomen, said Jennifer Castenada, Allen's niece. "He stole his life out from under him and from us," said Castenada, acting as a spokeswoman for Allen's three children. "We are devastated."

Allen was at the home, in the 4900 block of Otero Avenue, to serve divorce papers and a restraining order on Whitler. The two children, a 12-year-old girl and 10-year old boy, remained Thursday at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, where they were being treated for their injuries. One of the children was also stabbed, Alderden said.

Details on their conditions were not available. Victim was a black belt. For entire article CLICK HERE.

All content © 2008-Denver Post                                                                                                                                             Posted in part by permission, Joyce Anderson, Denver Post                President's Editorial