BETRAYED: Victims’ Families Lash Out At “Coward” Hickenlooper

Published on May 23, 2013 by

Governor Hickenlooper’s cowardly decision yesterday to save mass murderer Nathan Dunlap’s life via executive order has been met with a furious reaction across Colorado. Most furious were the victims’ families, who have been waiting 20 years for justice.

Pic via 9News

The Denver Post reports on the anger among the victims’ families towards Hickenlooper:

Reactions from the families of those slain during the Chuck E. Cheese’s killings were as intense as they were different after Gov. John Hickenlooper announced he would halt the execution of Nathan Dunlap.

“The knife that’s been in my back … was just twisted by the governor,” said Bob Crowell on Wednesday after a conference call with Hickenlooper.

Crowell’s daughter, Sylvia, was among the four killed by Dunlap in December 1993 after the ex-employee hid in a bathroom until the children’s restaurant closed, then shot the five people working.

Hickenlooper contacted the families before his official announcement of an open-ended reprieve for Dunlap, 39, just three months before his scheduled execution in August.

“I don’t think its right that he sat in jail longer than my son was on Earth,” Sandi Rogers, mother of 17-year-old victim Ben Grant, said in an interview last week. “I’ve always felt if you are truly evil, then you need to not be on this planet.”

CBS4 happened to be interviewing Bob Crowell when Hickenlooper had a conference call with the victims’ families, where family members trashed Hickenlooper as a “coward”:

DENVER (CBS4) – Gov. John Hickenlooper indefinitely delayed the execution of convicted killer Nathan Dunlap on Wednesday and CBS4’s Jennifer Brice was with the parents of one victim when the governor had a private conference call with the families.

Brice was sitting in Bob Crowell’s kitchen with him as he was on phone with the governor. His daughter was killed by Dunlap at a Chuck E. Cheese 20 years ago.

During this conference call Brice could hear the other victims’ families yelling at the governor, saying things like, “Dunlap is an animal,” and “How could you do this?” And, “This is a coward’s way out.”

Watch the full CBS4 segment after the jump:

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DUNLAP “WEIGHED HEAVILY”? Four Hours Post Reprieve Hick Parties with Denver Broncos

Published on May 23, 2013 by

Yesterday, Coloradans were outraged when Democratic Governor Hickenlooper cast aside the wishes of Nathan Dunlap’s victims’ families and granted him a “temporary reprieve” from his death sentence for slaughtering four innocent people at an Aurora Chuck E. Cheese 20 years ago.  Given the visceral reaction to the announcement, we have to admit even we were surprised when a reader tipped us off that Governor Hickenlooper had attended one of Denver’s most prestigious dinners last night, and partied with Denver Broncos players past and present.

We can hardly blame Hick for wanting to attend. It is, after all, one of the most anticipated events of the year in Colorado, usually honoring a great contributor to the Colorado community, and exceptionally well attended.  Among the nearly 2,000 attendees last night, were the Bronco’s four Hall of Famers and numerous other Broncos alumni.  Attendees even had the opportunity to take a photograph with Vince Lombardi trophies.  But, this isn’t about the people who were there, or even the event itself.

During yesterday’s press conference, Hick noted that this was a difficult decision for him.  He said, “We heard a variety of sides and obviously this has weighed heavily on me for over a year now.”

Perhaps the decision weighed so heavily that he needed a reprieve himself.  But, when do the families, some of whom spoke out against Hick’s decision, get a reprieve from their grief over their missing loved ones?  Here is what the family of victim Benjamin Grant said to Hickenlooper prior to his announcement: “Sit back, make no decision, allow the one that 12 people made after listening to all the evidence 17 years ago stand.”

With Hickenlooper’s decision ignoring the pleas of the victims’ families, we have to wonder, how did the families spend the night last night?  We’re pretty sure it wasn’t toasting Denver’s finest.

 

OUTRAGE: Colorado Leaders Furious Over Hickenlooper’s Coward’s Clemency Of Dunlap

Published on May 22, 2013 by

Outrage is the only way to describe the reaction of many of Colorado’s leaders today over Governor Hickenlooper’s cowardly decision to issue a reprieve to mass murderer Nathan Dunlap via executive order.

From victims’ families to the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police to the District Attorney charged with convicting the Aurora shooter, many people involved in the Dunlap case were furious with Hickenlooper’s half-assed decision.

Below is a round-up of initial reaction:
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COWARD: Governor Hickenlooper Saves Cold-Blooded Killer Nathan Dunlap’s Life With Executive Order

Published on May 22, 2013 by

Governor Hickenlooper is a coward. Rather than making a decision on whether to grant clemency to Chuck E. Cheese mass murderer Nathan Dunlap, Hickenlooper instead chose to issue an executive order for an “indefinite stay” of his execution.

In typical Hickenlooper fashion, he chose not to choose. But, unfortunately, for the cause of justice it means the cold-blooded killer gets to keep his life, even when he took four others.

Reports The Denver Post:

Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday issued an executive order granting convicted killer Nathan Dunlap a “temporary reprieve” from an execution that had been just three months away.

In an executive order that provides an indefinite stay of execution, Hickenlooper writes that the decision has weighed heavily on him…

“I don’t know why anyone would vote for someone who would want to do away with the death penalty in this case,” [Marj] Crowell said before a planned conference call with Hickenlooper.

Marj Crowell is the mother of one of Dunlap’s victims, Sylvia Crowell. In issuing his cop-out clemency decision today, Hickenlooper is insulting both the victims and the jury who decided to sentence Dunlap to death.

This decision could also affect another key death penalty case — that of Aurora shooter James Holmes. When DA George Brauchler seeks the death penalty against the human scum who committed one of the worst massacres in American history, will the jury wonder whether their decision will be respected by a future governor?

The silver lining to this decision is that if Republicans take back the governor’s mansion in 2014, a new Republican governor could issue their own executive order, allowing justice to take place and Nathan Dunlap to die for his crimes against humanity.

UPDATE: District Attorney George Brauchler responds:

 

RUNNING TO THE LEFT: Hickenlooper Announces Support For Impending $1 Billion Tax Hike Campaign

Published on May 22, 2013 by

Democrats applaud Hickenlooper for signing SB213, the bill attached to the impending $1 billion tax hike campaign

In a sign Governor Hickenlooper has all but abandoned any hope at retaining his moderate political brand, yesterday he announced his support for an impending $1 billion tax hike campaign.

Reports The Durango Herald‘s Joe Hanel at the bottom of a piece about Hickenlooper signing the attached SB213:

Hickenlooper pledged Tuesday to campaign for the tax increase once the sponsors pick a single initiative.

This, folks, is big news. In 2011, Hickenlooper steadfastly refused to take a public position on the Prop 103 tax hike ballot initiative, earning the derisive nickname “Chickenlooper.”

Currently tax hike proponents are deciding between raising taxes through increasing the flat tax rate, or creating a graduated system, with higher incomes being taxed at an even higher rate.

The fact that Hickenlooper has already agreed to back the billion dollar tax increase, without even knowing what form it wil take, is a risky move.

A recent poll that purposely over-sampled Democrats found that voters strongly oppose a tax increase, no matter what form it takes.

From our post on the poll:

Magellan polled 675 respondents from April 24-25 and found an overwhelming opposition to income tax hikes, with 55% of respondents opposed to the idea of raising the state income tax from 4.63% to 5.35% to only 36% supportive of the idea.

When asking about a graduated income tax hike, with those making less than $75,000 seeing their taxes go up 1%, while those making over $75,000 would see a 3% hike, the opposition increased slightly with 56% opposed and 35% in support.

We honestly can’t think of a single ballot initiative in Colorado history that started at 36% support to 55% opposition that succeeded in the end.

In a still fragile economy, voters simply aren’t willing to hand over more cash to the government.

With Hickenlooper’s approval rating already underwater with independents, this certainly can’t help his political standing.

 

HEALED: Ken Buck Declared Cancer-Free

Published on May 21, 2013 by

In March, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck announced that he would be undergoing treatment for lymphoma.  Today, he announced he was cancer free, although he will finish his remaining chemotherapy treatments.  From his Facebook update:

“Praise the Lord! I went to my doctor today and after blood tests, a CT scan and a PET scan the consensus from the Radiologist and Oncologist is that I am in remission. After only 3 chemo cycles, there is no detectable cancer in my body. I feel so blessed to have so many friends who have prayed, prepared meals, sent cards, called, emailed and expressed love and support in so many positive ways. Perry and I want to thank you for allowing us to share this time together and grow in our marriage, faith and love. It has been a time for the Buck family to reflect and we are all so much more appreciative of the blessings we enjoy. Our daughter Kaitlin graduated early from college and put her life on hold since January to support her Papa and we could not have asked for a greater gift than her loving devotion. I have a few more chemo sessions to make sure there is no cancer lingering in the blood system and then I will be fighting again with my entire heart, body and soul. Thank you so much for your prayers and overwhelming support.”

We’re glad to hear that he’s on the mend.  Please keep sending positive thoughts and prayers for his continued healing.

 

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? Senate Democrats Attack Sheriffs As Supporting Criminals, Buck Stops At Morse

Published on May 21, 2013 by

The recall against Senate President John Morse has angered the notoriously thin-skinned Senator from Colorado Springs, with accusations being thrown at his opponents of being sexual predators and criminals.

On Friday, the Twitter account for Morse’s State Senate Democrats went even further, accusing the 55 Sheriffs, both Democrat and Republican, who are suing to overturn overreaching gun control legislation, of standing with criminals.

Reports The Colorado Observer‘s Valerie Richardson:

DENVER–Locked in a fight for his political life, Senate President John Morse is showing that he’s not afraid to deliver a few low blows.

The Colorado Senate Democrats, which he leads, issued a Twitter message Friday accusing 55 county sheriffs of siding with “criminals.” A week earlier, the Morse campaign launched radio ads claiming that those gathering signatures to place him on the recall ballot were “criminals convicted of forgery, fraud and even sexual assault.”

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa, one of the sheriffs accused by Democrats of backing criminals by filing a lawsuit against the state’s new gun-control laws, said such political tactics have become par for the course.

“I’m not at all surprised,” said Maketa. “This is their typical way of deflecting having to engage in a true debate. I would challenge the Senate Democrats to respond to the issues instead of making these childish claims and accusations.”

There are two options here: either Morse directed that this attack be made by his caucus’s communications arm, or a staff member went rogue and made this accusation themselves.

Either way, as taxpayer money is used to run the Twitter account, an answer is needed: who is responsible for accusing the Sheriffs of standing with criminals?

Does Morse stand by the attack? If not, will he fire the staff member responsible?

 

DUNLAP DECISION: Sources Say Hickenlooper Chief Of Staff Threatening To Resign If Death Penalty Not Commuted

Published on May 21, 2013 by

Gov. Hickenlooper and his Chief of Staff Roxanne White deep in discussion

Chuck E. Cheese killer Nathan Dunlap may have a few more months before his scheduled execution in August, but sources tell Colorado Peak Politics that a decision on whether or not to commute his sentence is likely coming much sooner than that.

Governor Hickenlooper has been publicly weighing whether to commute Dunlap’s death penalty sentence, giving the mass murderer a reprieve for killing four Coloradans in 1993, including three teenagers.

Part of Hickenlooper’s calculus has been his outspoken senior staff, most visibly his Chief of Staff Roxanne White, who tweeted at Dunlap’s hearing that “there has to be a more humane path.”

Humane is not a word we’d use to describe the punishment deserved by a cold-blooded killer who bragged abou the killings afterwards and got a prison tattoo with a smoking gun that said “By Any Means Necessary.”

But White has shed crocodile tears for Dunlap and been one of the most outspoken members of Hickenlooper’s top aides urging the Governor to cancel Dunlap’s death penalty, a sentence decided by a jury almost 20 years ago.

Now sources are telling the Peak that White has threatened to resign if Hickenlooper doesn’t commute Dunlap’s sentence. With a long and close relationship with the Governor, White’s alleged threat could carry a great deal of weight with Hick.

As we’ve asked before, is the tail wagging the dog over at the governor’s mansion? What is driving this literal life or death decision? The people of Colorado have a right to know.

 

CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS: Bennet Can’t Claim Concern Over A Partisan Witch Hunt He Called For

Published on May 20, 2013 by

It seems that Senator Michael Bennet is still a little wet behind the ears when it comes to Washington, D.C. and the role of a sitting United States Senator.

The rules of D.C. engagement are pretty simple: you can be a partisan pitbull and use your political energy to attack the other side, or you can be the politician that seeks compromise and consensus.

What you cannot do is be both. That. Does. Not. Work.

Bennet has fancied himself as the reluctant businessman who entered politics to “make things right.” With his business background, Bennet still has strong allies among the GOP donorati in Colorado, but he pretty much left the position of “bipartisan dealmaker” when he decided to run the Senate Democrats’ slash and burn campaign machine as head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).

And he hasn’t looked back. 

We’ve spent a good deal of time calling Bennet out for his involvement in the current IRS scandal that has been widely condemned by Republicans and Democrats alike. Since then, Bennet has been trying desperately to distance himself from the growing IRS mushroom cloud suffocating the Obama administration. 

In Friday’s Denver Post, Bennet’s press flack Adam Bozzi is quoted as saying about the Bennet letter, “This is exactly the kind of distraction and overreach that prevents us from getting to the bottom of what is a very serious issue and punishing the people responsible.”

Mr. Bozzi, we couldn’t agree more. The problem you and Sen. Bennet are currently experiencing is this: Bennet is responsible, Bennet is the problem. Bennet signed and sent his letter to the IRS admonishing them to attack non-profits and highlighted only a conservative group in his press release trumpeting the letter.

Herein lies the rub.

Bennet is in no place to condemn a partisan witch hunt that he himself called for.

Much like his misunderstanding of the rules of combat in DC, Bennet doesn’t seem to understand that you can’t pretend to be concerned about a partisan attack when you called for it in the first place.

 

PLAN B (VERIFIED): Eli Stokols Confirms Former Bloomberg Gun Control Director Merrifield Will Likely Be On Ballot

Published on May 20, 2013 by

OUR VIEW: In a recall that is quickly becoming a referendum on Mayor Bloomberg’s undue influence in Colorado, having Bloomberg’s for-hire henchman on the ballot as Plan B is a dream come true for conservatives.

Earlier today we reported that Mike Merrifield, the one-time State Rep who was forced to leave a committee in disgrace, would be the Democrats’ Plan B if a recall against Senate President John Morse succeeds.

Did we mention that Merrifield used to be on NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s payroll? Yes, we did. Today Fox 31′s Eli Stokols confirmed that Bloomberg’s Plan B is indeed his former employee Mike Merrifield.

The real news in Stokols’ reporting was the spin from Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Rick Palacio, who claimed that Merrifield replacing Morse isn’t something conservatives planned for:

“It just shows that the people pushing the recall didn’t really think this through,” Palacio said. “If they really gamed this out, they’d have realized that this is a possibility.”

Didn’t think this through? Try again.

In a recall that is fast becoming a referendum on Bloomberg’s undue influence in Colorado, having Bloomberg’s for-hire henchman on the ballot as Plan B is a dream come true for conservatives. It is a stroke of luck so fortuitous that it almost seems as if God doesn’t hate Republicans in Colorado anymore. (Ok, almost.)

Anyways, nice try Palacio. Let the debate on Bloomberg’s undue influence in Colorado begin!

 
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