Original subtitles

>>> I want him dead. >> You didn't take the time to

>> you didn't take the time to think their life was --

think their life was -- >> important to somebody else.

>> Important to somebody else. I didn't have no association

I didn't have no association with them.

With them. To me their life wasn't nothing.

To me their life wasn't nothing. >> In 1993, Nathan dunlap killed

>> in 1993, Nathan dunlap killed four people at a Chuck e.

Four people at a Chuck e. Cheese's restaurant just outside

cheese's restaurant just outside of Denver, Colorado.

Of Denver, Colorado. He was sentenced to death.

He was sentenced to death. >> He is remorseless, as he

>> he is remorseless, as he talks about his murderous

talks about his murderous decision-making.

Decision-making. >> Does it brother you that

>> does it brother you that they're dead, Nathan?

They're dead, Nathan? >> No.

>> No. >> He killed four people.

>> He killed four people. He needs to pay for it with his

he needs to pay for it with his life.

Life. >> Colorado had not executed

>> Colorado had not executed anyone since the late 1960s, but

anyone since the late 1960s, but support for dunlap's death

support for dunlap's death sentence was overwhelming.

Sentence was overwhelming. >> The death penalty.

>> The death penalty. No doubt in my mind.

No doubt in my mind. >> Mr. Dunlap should be allowed

>> Mr. Dunlap should be allowed to come out of the penitentiary

to come out of the penitentiary only in a pine box.

Only in a pine box. >> He took lives that he was not

>> he took lives that he was not entitled to take.

Entitled to take. Not for self-defense.

Not for self-defense. Not for self-preservation.

Not for self-preservation. Nothing.

Nothing. This man is a mass murderer.

This man is a mass murderer. And he deserves death.

And he deserves death. >> For 20 years as dunlap

>> for 20 years as dunlap appealed his death sentence,

appealed his death sentence, violence continued to strike

violence continued to strike Colorado.

Colorado. >> Masked gunman walked into

>> masked gunman walked into columbine high school.

Columbine high school. >> Shooting at century theaters.

>> Shooting at century theaters. They're saying somebody is

they're saying somebody is shooting in the auditorium.

Shooting in the auditorium. >> And cries for vengeance

>> and cries for vengeance increased.

Increased. >> Too many criminals.

>> Too many criminals. Time all of them die.

Time all of them die. Kill all of them, Colorado.

Kill all of them, Colorado. That will take care of all this

that will take care of all this crap.

Crap. >> In 2013, Nathan dunlap's

>> in 2013, Nathan dunlap's execution ordered landed on the

execution ordered landed on the desk of governor John

desk of governor John hickenlooper and in an odd twist

hickenlooper and in an odd twist of fait, the governor's own

of fait, the governor's own political fortunes would come to

political fortunes would come to rest on his decision.

Rest on his decision. >> We're going to have an

>> we're going to have an election in 2014 where one of

election in 2014 where one of the questions is, do we want to

the questions is, do we want to kill this one person?

Kill this one person? >> The case sparked a raging

>> the case sparked a raging debate over capital punishment

debate over capital punishment and posed the question, what

and posed the question, what should be done with society's

should be done with society's most heinous criminals?

Most heinous criminals? >> The death penalty encompasses

>> the death penalty encompasses the most highly emotional l

the most highly emotional l issues for all of US.

Issues for all of US. It's life and death.

It's life and death. It's justice.

It's justice. All that stuff comes back

all that stuff comes back together on trying to decide

together on trying to decide what we do with the worst of the

what we do with the worst of the worst.

Worst. >> Kill them all.

>> Kill them all..

>> There was a body under the

>> there was a body under the water.

Water. >> Butchered and murdered.

>> Butchered and murdered. >> Many people proclaim

>> many people proclaim innocence.

Innocence. >> In this case, there are a

>> in this case, there are a number of things that stink.

Number of things that stink. >> This man is remorseless.

>> This man is remorseless. >> Needs to pay wifor it with h

>> needs to pay wifor it with h life.

Life. >> Get a conviction at all costs

>> get a conviction at all costs that the truth fall where it

that the truth fall where it may.

>> In Aurora, Colorado, the night of December 14th, 1993,

night of December 14th, 1993, evil was about to strike in the

evil was about to strike in the most unlikely of places.

Most unlikely of places. >> It was Chuck E. Cheese.

>> It was Chuck E. Cheese. It was a family place.

It was a family place. You go there to play games.

You go there to play games. You go there to play with your

you go there to play with your kids.

Kids. >> 20-year-old Bobby Stevens,

>> 20-year-old Bobby Stevens, father to a newborn baby boy,

father to a newborn baby boy, was working a double shift in

was working a double shift in the pizza restaurant's kitchen.

The pizza restaurant's kitchen. >> I picked up the Chuck e.

>> I picked up the Chuck e. Cheese job as a second job to

cheese job as a second job to help with the income and, you

help with the income and, you know, help with Christmas that

know, help with Christmas that was coming.

Was coming. I'd only been there for two

I'd only been there for two weeks, but it was business as

weeks, but it was business as normal.

Normal. >> Also working that night were

>> also working that night were 19-year-old Sylvia crowell, a

19-year-old Sylvia crowell, a student at nearby Metro state

student at nearby Metro state college.

College. Ben Grant, a 17-year-old high

Ben Grant, a 17-year-old high school wrestler.

School wrestler. And Colleen o'Connor, also 17, a

and Colleen o'Connor, also 17, a senior at eagle crest high

senior at eagle crest high school.

School. March culver, 50, and a mother

march culver, 50, and a mother of 2 was working her first night

of 2 was working her first night alone as manager.

Alone as manager. Out in the dining room sat

out in the dining room sat 19-year-old former employee,

19-year-old former employee, Nathan dunlap.

Nathan dunlap. >> Nathan dunlap worked there

>> Nathan dunlap worked there for a time but is ultimately let

for a time but is ultimately let go.

Go. He had an attitude problem and

he had an attitude problem and is a bit of a discipline issue

is a bit of a discipline issue for the management.

For the management. So on the particular night in

so on the particular night in question, Nathan dunlap goes

question, Nathan dunlap goes into that Chuck E. Cheese and he

into that Chuck E. Cheese and he orders dinner.

Orders dinner. Dunlap plays video games.

Dunlap plays video games. Played a shooter video game,

played a shooter video game, hogan's alley.

Hogan's alley. Chuck E. Cheese closes.

Chuck E. Cheese closes. Dunlap goes into the bathroom.

Dunlap goes into the bathroom. Waits in the bathroom.

Waits in the bathroom. >> He goes to the mirror.

>> He goes to the mirror. He gets himself psyched up.

He gets himself psyched up. Looks at himself and tells

looks at himself and tells himself he can do this.

Himself he can do this. And he pulls out his gun and he

and he pulls out his gun and he walks outside and he starts to

walks outside and he starts to shoot people in the head.

Shoot people in the head. >> Bobby Stephens was walking

>> Bobby Stephens was walking inside after a smoking break.

Inside after a smoking break. >> As I went back into work is

>> as I went back into work is when I started hearing the

when I started hearing the gunshots.

Gunshots. I thought somebody dropped

I thought somebody dropped something.

Something. >> Sylvia crowell who had been

>> Sylvia crowell who had been cleaning the salad bar was the

cleaning the salad bar was the first person shot.

First person shot. She never saw dunlap coming.

She never saw dunlap coming. Ben Grant, vacuuming, was killed

Ben Grant, vacuuming, was killed next.

Next. >> Heard the next two shots.

>> Heard the next two shots. The only thing that came to my

the only thing that came to my mind was the kids are out there

mind was the kids are out there popping the balloons.

Popping the balloons. >> Colleen o'Connor saw dunlap

>> Colleen o'Connor saw dunlap approaching.

Approaching. She sank to her knees, clasped

she sank to her knees, clasped her hands together and pleaded

her hands together and pleaded for her life, but dunlap fired a

for her life, but dunlap fired a bullet through the top of her

bullet through the top of her head.

Head. >> I was loading some utensils

>> I was loading some utensils into the dishwasher.

Into the dishwasher. I turned around and Nathan

I turned around and Nathan dunlap came through the kitchen

dunlap came through the kitchen door.

Door. Right then is when I knew I was

right then is when I knew I was in trouble.

In trouble. To be honest with you, the only

to be honest with you, the only words that could come out of my

words that could come out of my mouth was and he

mouth was and he raised the gun and he shot at

raised the gun and he shot at me.

Me. >> The bullet hit Bobby in the

>> the bullet hit Bobby in the jaw.

Jaw. He fell to the floor.

He fell to the floor. >> As he stood there, I was

>> as he stood there, I was actually expecting for me to be

actually expecting for me to be shot again and that would be the

shot again and that would be the end of it, but I played dead.

End of it, but I played dead. I held as still as I possibly

I held as still as I possibly could be and it actually worked.

Could be and it actually worked. He walked on and I got up and I

he walked on and I got up and I ran out the kitchen.

Ran out the kitchen. >> Dunlap entered the office

>> dunlap entered the office where he forced march colberg to

where he forced march colberg to unlock the safe.

Unlock the safe. After it was open, he shot Marge

after it was open, he shot Marge in the ear.

In the ear. >> As he is gathering the cash,

>> as he is gathering the cash, he notices Marge is still

he notices Marge is still moving.

Moving. >> Bobby Stephens, covered with

>> Bobby Stephens, covered with blood, stumbled through the

blood, stumbled through the dining room and fled through a

dining room and fled through a side door in search for help.

Side door in search for help. >> All I saw was a patio light.

>> All I saw was a patio light. I stumbled along the way, but I

I stumbled along the way, but I read to that light as fast as I

read to that light as fast as I could.

Could. >> Emergency, 911.

>> Emergency, 911. >> Listen, I have a man who's

>> listen, I have a man who's been shot in my house right

been shot in my house right here.

Here. He comes from Chuck E. Cheese.

He comes from Chuck E. Cheese. He explains there's been a lot

he explains there's been a lot of people shot there.

Of people shot there. >> We have a call in for Chuck

>> we have a call in for Chuck e. Cheese.

E. Cheese. We have paramedics and officer

we have paramedics and officer en route.

En route. >> I need someone to help me

>> I need someone to help me search the place.

Search the place. We have several people down.

We have several people down. >> Of course, media picked up on

>> of course, media picked up on it very quickly.

It very quickly. Parents are responding.

Parents are responding. People are calling each other.

People are calling each other. The parking lot is a zoo.

The parking lot is a zoo. >> Everyone, whole community,

>> everyone, whole community, was just, a shooting at Chuck e.

Was just, a shooting at Chuck e. Cheese?

Cheese? >> No, no.

>> No, no. >> The normally festive pizza

>> the normally festive pizza shop was transformed into a

shop was transformed into a scene of carnage and chaos.

Scene of carnage and chaos. >> My best friends are in there.

>> My best friends are in there. They won't even say anything and

they won't even say anything and it drives US crazy.

It drives US crazy. >> Police say it's the worst

>> police say it's the worst crime in Aurora in years.

Crime in Aurora in years. >> We always had the news on.

>> We always had the news on. Always.

Always. For some reason that night, we

for some reason that night, we didn't.

Didn't. The phone rings.

The phone rings. And it's my sister.

And it's my sister. She said, Jody, there's

she said, Jody, there's something on the news about

something on the news about Chuck E. Cheese.

Chuck E. Cheese. Is that the Chuck E. Cheese

is that the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant that Colleen works

restaurant that Colleen works at?

At? So we went down there and they

so we went down there and they told US to go into Tony roma's.

Told US to go into Tony roma's. Went into Tony roma's and

went into Tony roma's and Colleen was not there and I

Colleen was not there and I started shaking.

Started shaking. I started shaking.

I started shaking. >> A friend of mine called.

>> A friend of mine called. He was on the police force.

He was on the police force. And he said, there's been a

and he said, there's been a shooting down at Chuck e.

Shooting down at Chuck e. Cheese.

Cheese. And he said, well, you better

and he said, well, you better come down here right away.

Come down here right away. >> The police officer came up

>> the police officer came up and said, your daughter has been

and said, your daughter has been air lifted to Denver general.

Air lifted to Denver general. >> We were told that she was

>> we were told that she was taken to a hospital, so I went

taken to a hospital, so I went and saw that she was breathing,

and saw that she was breathing, but that was about it.

But that was about it. The doctors said that she didn't

the doctors said that she didn't have a chance.

Have a chance. >> The doctors said, she's brain

>> the doctors said, she's brain dead.

Dead. I didn't know what brain dead

I didn't know what brain dead meant.

Meant. So I looked at the minister that

so I looked at the minister that was there.

Was there. I said, is her soul in or out?

I said, is her soul in or out? You know what I'm saying?

You know what I'm saying? And he said, she's with god now.

And he said, she's with god now. >> Outside Chuck E. Cheese's,

>> outside Chuck E. Cheese's, police canvas the crowd for

police canvas the crowd for leads.

Leads. >> My partner says, you're not

>> my partner says, you're not going to believe this, we just

going to believe this, we just talked to a guy outside who's

talked to a guy outside who's telling US who did this.

Telling US who did this. He said his name is Nathan

he said his name is Nathan dunlap and he's an ex-employee

dunlap and he's an ex-employee here and he'd been bragging to

here and he'd been bragging to people he was going to come back

people he was going to come back and kill the manager.

And kill the manager. So we had the name right off the

so we had the name right off the bat.

Bat. >> Police had a suspect, but now

>> police had a suspect, but now they had to find him.

They had to find him. And once they did, the story

and once they did, the story would become more complicated

would become more complicated than they ever could have

than they ever could have imagined.

Imagined. >>> As police in Aurora,

>>> as police in Aurora, Colorado, began investigating

Colorado, began investigating the brutal murders at Chuck e.

The brutal murders at Chuck e. Cheese's, they immediately

cheese's, they immediately focused on the suspect,

focused on the suspect, disgruntled ex-employee Nathan

disgruntled ex-employee Nathan dunlap.

Dunlap. Dunlap had apparently been very

dunlap had apparently been very open about his plans.

Open about his plans. >> Sometime in December, he

>> sometime in December, he begins to tell his compatriots,

begins to tell his compatriots, his friends, that he intends to

his friends, that he intends to Rob Chuck E. Cheese and he's

Rob Chuck E. Cheese and he's going to kill everybody in

going to kill everybody in there.

There. >> Following the shooting,

>> following the shooting, concerned parents rush to the

concerned parents rush to the scene.

Scene. Among the crowd was Nathan

among the crowd was Nathan dunlap's mother, Kara.

Dunlap's mother, Kara. >> We started talking with her,

>> we started talking with her, and her views at that point was

and her views at that point was that he didn't do this, but if

that he didn't do this, but if you think he did, let's get this

you think he did, let's get this taken care of.

Taken care of. >> She called him, and she told

>> she called him, and she told him, you need to come home and

him, you need to come home and talk with the police right now.

Talk with the police right now. >> They ended up finding him at

>> they ended up finding him at his girlfriend's house.

His girlfriend's house. He was having sex with her, and

he was having sex with her, and when he got the call to come

when he got the call to come back to this house, which was

back to this house, which was his mother's home, he got in the

his mother's home, he got in the shower.

Shower. >> After scrubbing away any

>> after scrubbing away any physical evidence, Nathan was

physical evidence, Nathan was picked up by police and

picked up by police and questioned.

Questioned. >> Left my house around 9:10,

>> left my house around 9:10, 9:20.

9:20. >> In the evening?

>> In the evening? >> Yes, in the evening.

>> Yes, in the evening. >> Nathan told them, I went to

>> Nathan told them, I went to Chuck E. Cheese.

Chuck E. Cheese. I was hungry.

I was hungry. >> I went in.

>> I went in. Ordered a sandwich.

Ordered a sandwich. >> Nathan said he learned about

>> Nathan said he learned about the massacre from the news.

The massacre from the news. >> They thought for sure he's

>> they thought for sure he's part of this, but what do we

part of this, but what do we have to hold him?

Have to hold him? Nothing.

Nothing. >> Shooting survivor Bobby

>> shooting survivor Bobby Stephens was unconscious in the

Stephens was unconscious in the hospital and unable to help

hospital and unable to help police, but once they

police, but once they interrogated Nathan's

interrogated Nathan's girlfriend, Tracy, things

girlfriend, Tracy, things changed.

Changed. Tracy admitted Nathan had

Tracy admitted Nathan had arrived at her house with

arrived at her house with bundles of cash and a gun.

Bundles of cash and a gun. Asking her to help dispose of

asking her to help dispose of the evidence.

The evidence. That afternoon, police took

that afternoon, police took Nathan into custody.

Nathan into custody. Over the next few weeks,

over the next few weeks, investigators learned that

investigators learned that before going to Tracy's house,

before going to Tracy's house, Nathan visited two other friends

Nathan visited two other friends and bragged about killing

and bragged about killing people.

People. Execution style at Chuck e.

Execution style at Chuck e. Cheese's.

Cheese's. >> He told them what he did.

>> He told them what he did. He showed them the evidence of

he showed them the evidence of it.

It. He showed them money.

He showed them money. He showed them trinkets they

he showed them trinkets they picked up.

Picked up. The other people were charged as

the other people were charged as accessories.

Accessories. >> December 23rd, 1993, police

>> December 23rd, 1993, police charged Nathan dunlap with four

charged Nathan dunlap with four counts of first-degree murder.

Counts of first-degree murder. Prosecutors would now need to

prosecutors would now need to decide what punishment to seek.

Decide what punishment to seek. Life in prison, or the death

life in prison, or the death penalty.

Penalty. For local residents, the murders

for local residents, the murders at Chuck E. Cheese's crossed a

at Chuck E. Cheese's crossed a clear red line.

Clear red line. Enough was enough.

Enough was enough. >> I became the district

>> I became the district attorney of Denver in June of

attorney of Denver in June of 1993, and it was at the

1993, and it was at the beginning of what later became

beginning of what later became termed the summer of violence.

Termed the summer of violence. Because of the amount of pretty

because of the amount of pretty high-profile crimes and it was

high-profile crimes and it was on the 10:00 news almost every

on the 10:00 news almost every night.

Night. >> An epidemic of violence is

>> an epidemic of violence is sweeping American children out

sweeping American children out of homes and classrooms and onto

of homes and classrooms and onto our meanest streets.

Our meanest streets. >> Cops say they've never seen

>> cops say they've never seen anything like it.

Anything like it. >> Our quality of life is being

>> our quality of life is being threatened when our children

threatened when our children can't play in the street.

Can't play in the street. >> I mean, there were children

>> I mean, there were children that were just random victims

that were just random victims because one gang member shot at

because one gang member shot at another.

Another. >> Our babies, our babies.

>> Our babies, our babies. Just leave them babies alone.

Just leave them babies alone. >> I tell you, the public was

>> I tell you, the public was frightened.

Frightened. >> Amplifying nationwide fears,

>> amplifying nationwide fears, the media seized upon a label

the media seized upon a label for a new class of ultraviolent

for a new class of ultraviolent offenders.

Offenders. >> Criminalologists call them

>> criminalologists call them superpredators.

Superpredators. >> Superpredator.

>> Superpredator. >> The superpredator was about

>> the superpredator was about juvenile kids who had access to

juvenile kids who had access to gun and didn't seem to have

gun and didn't seem to have developed a conscience over

developed a conscience over time.

Time. >> Police departments in our

>> police departments in our cities warn of a new generation

cities warn of a new generation of, quote, superpredators who

of, quote, superpredators who have no compunction about taking

have no compunction about taking human life.

Human life. >> The narrative became about

>> the narrative became about violence, gang violence,

violence, gang violence, juvenile violence and having

juvenile violence and having Nathan dunlap kill four people

Nathan dunlap kill four people at a Chuck E. Cheese just fed

at a Chuck E. Cheese just fed right into all of that.

Right into all of that. >> For many, Nathan was the

>> for many, Nathan was the definition of a superpredator

definition of a superpredator and deserved nothing less than

and deserved nothing less than death.

Death. >> He had escalating violence

>> he had escalating violence throughout his teenage years.

Throughout his teenage years. He started robbing places with a

he started robbing places with a golf club, and that escalated to

golf club, and that escalated to guns eventually.

Guns eventually. >> We learned that Nathan dunlap

>> we learned that Nathan dunlap had been involved in some very

had been involved in some very serious crimes.

Serious crimes. >> Prosecutors first tried

>> prosecutors first tried Nathan for one of the robberies

Nathan for one of the robberies and convicted him.

And convicted him. With a violent crime now on

with a violent crime now on Nathan's record, the davmt's

Nathan's record, the davmt's office announced they would

office announced they would aggressively pursue the death

aggressively pursue the death penalty.

Penalty. >> The dunlap case arose in

>> the dunlap case arose in arapaho county, part of the 18th

arapaho county, part of the 18th judicial district which is in

judicial district which is in clo kcolorado is now and has Ben

clo kcolorado is now and has Ben in the past in love with the

in the past in love with the death penalty.

Death penalty. >> The verdict seemed to be a

>> the verdict seemed to be a fore gone conclusion.

Fore gone conclusion. >> The trial then essentially

>> the trial then essentially becomes about whether what

becomes about whether what Nathan dunlap did is deserving

Nathan dunlap did is deserving of the death penalty.

Of the death penalty. >> In fact, before trial,

>> in fact, before trial, Nathan's defense team made an

Nathan's defense team made an offer to the state.

Offer to the state. Nathan would plead guilty in

Nathan would plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence.

Exchange for a life sentence. >> It comes down to what's the

>> it comes down to what's the appropriate sentence that he's

appropriate sentence that he's receiving?

Receiving? Is this appropriate to plead

is this appropriate to plead this to a life in prison?

This to a life in prison? And it was not.

And it was not. >> At trial, Nathan's lawyers

>> at trial, Nathan's lawyers called almost no witnesses and

called almost no witnesses and offered little defense for his

offered little defense for his actions.

Actions. It took the jury only 3 1/2

it took the jury only 3 1/2 hours to only to a verdict.

Hours to only to a verdict. >> We, the jury, find the

>> we, the jury, find the defendant, Nathan dunlap, guilty

defendant, Nathan dunlap, guilty of murder in the first degree.

Of murder in the first degree. >> And during sentencing, the

>> and during sentencing, the jury delivered a clear message.

Jury delivered a clear message. Giving Nathan four death

giving Nathan four death sentences.

Sentences. One for each victim.

One for each victim. >> It has to be all 12 jurors

>> it has to be all 12 jurors saying I personally agree with

saying I personally agree with the death sentence.

The death sentence. If one person says no, then it's

if one person says no, then it's a life sentence.

A life sentence. >> Though he'd been impassive

>> though he'd been impassive during trial, at the hearing

during trial, at the hearing where the judge officially

where the judge officially imposed the death sentence,

imposed the death sentence, Nathan responded directly to

Nathan responded directly to remarks by the victims' family

remarks by the victims' family members.

Members. ->> Man, I don't give a

>> man, I don't give a about you, your mama, your whole

about you, your mama, your whole.

You know what I'm saying?

You know what I'm saying? >> Nathan lost it.

>> Nathan lost it. He blew up.

He blew up. He was screaming.

He was screaming. >> I don't take none of your

>> I don't take none of your.

>> I think people in the

>> I think people in the courtroom got to see Nathan

courtroom got to see Nathan dunlap as Nathan dunlap.

Dunlap as Nathan dunlap. >> I don't even give a

>> I don't even give a.

You know what I'm saying?

You know what I'm saying? >> How angered he could be.

>> How angered he could be. How vicious he could be.

How vicious he could be. When you saw him and you saw the

when you saw him and you saw the look on his face, he was a

look on his face, he was a different person.

Different person..

>> I'm sorry, adinea.

I'm sorry, adinea. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. >> In the years to come,

>> in the years to come, disturbing details would emerge

disturbing details would emerge about Nathan dunlap, details

about Nathan dunlap, details that would help explain his

that would help explain his actions, and also weigh heavily

actions, and also weigh heavily in the governor's

in the governor's >>> before Nathan dunlap was

>>> before Nathan dunlap was sentenced to death for killing

sentenced to death for killing four people at a Chuck E. Cheese

four people at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant, questions began to

restaurant, questions began to arise about his mental state.

Arise about his mental state. >> There are some outbursts that

>> there are some outbursts that he has in which psychological

he has in which psychological evaluators start asking

evaluators start asking questions, is he fit to stand

questions, is he fit to stand trial?

Trial? >> During the run-up to trial,

>> during the run-up to trial, Nathan's behavior became

Nathan's behavior became erratic, including violent mood

erratic, including violent mood swings, signs of depression, and

swings, signs of depression, and even incidents of spreading

even incidents of spreading feces over his cell and on

feces over his cell and on himself.

Himself. Nathan's sister, adinea,

Nathan's sister, adinea, arranged to visit him in jail.

Arranged to visit him in jail. >> When I first saw him was when

>> when I first saw him was when I began to think, okay,

I began to think, okay, something is not right.

Something is not right. His eyes were glassy and his

his eyes were glassy and his hair was everywhere.

Hair was everywhere. And he was ramblinging.

And he was ramblinging. And I was trying to get him to

and I was trying to get him to calm down.

Calm down. >> Nathan was put on suicide

>> Nathan was put on suicide watch and moved to a padded

watch and moved to a padded cell.

Cell. >> His eyes reminded me of

>> his eyes reminded me of seeing my mother when she was in

seeing my mother when she was in a manic episode.

A manic episode. So when I saw him, I saw her

so when I saw him, I saw her eyes.

Eyes. >> Throughout their childhood,

>> throughout their childhood, adinea and Nathan's mother,

adinea and Nathan's mother, care, suffered from bipolar

care, suffered from bipolar disorder.

Disorder. A serious mental illness that

a serious mental illness that caused extreme mood shifts and

caused extreme mood shifts and unpredictable behavior.

Unpredictable behavior. >> Nathan dunlap's mother would

>> Nathan dunlap's mother would at times berate the children,

at times berate the children, wake them up in the middle of

wake them up in the middle of the night, walk around the home

the night, walk around the home naked.

Naked. >> During Carol's manic

>> during Carol's manic episodes, she might experience

episodes, she might experience hypersexual behavior, in

hypersexual behavior, in addition to severely abusing her

addition to severely abusing her children.

Children. >> As child when you see that,

>> as child when you see that, it was very confusing.

It was very confusing. >> Carol, whose father and

>> Carol, whose father and brother were also bipolar, was

brother were also bipolar, was in and out of institutions.

In and out of institutions. >> My mom would go to the

>> my mom would go to the hospital.

Hospital. We didn't understand what was

we didn't understand what was going on, so my dad would take

going on, so my dad would take care of US.

Care of US. The abuse and intimidation from

the abuse and intimidation from my dad started very early with

my dad started very early with Nathan.

Nathan. By grabbing him on the collar,

by grabbing him on the collar, picking him up.

Picking him up. It wasn't anything for him to

it wasn't anything for him to hit him and knock him.

Hit him and knock him. >> Nathan wasn't the only target

>> Nathan wasn't the only target of Jerry dunlap's rage.

Of Jerry dunlap's rage. >> My dad did sexually abuse me

>> my dad did sexually abuse me probably from the time I was

probably from the time I was about 9 until 14.

About 9 until 14. And there was a time where

and there was a time where Nathan came downstairs when some

Nathan came downstairs when some of this was going on, and my dad

of this was going on, and my dad thought that he saw it.

Thought that he saw it. And I think after that, abuse

and I think after that, abuse was really bad.

Was really bad. I mean, it was just -- it was

I mean, it was just -- it was horrible.

Horrible. >> Due to the severity of his

>> due to the severity of his crime and signs of mental

crime and signs of mental instability, before trial,

instability, before trial, Nathan was sent for testing.

Nathan was sent for testing. >> He was brought down to pueblo

>> he was brought down to pueblo for a psychological evaluation

for a psychological evaluation about whether he was legally

about whether he was legally insane.

Insane. >> Numerous psychiatrists at the

>> numerous psychiatrists at the Colorado mental health institute

Colorado mental health institute observed Nathan, trying to

observed Nathan, trying to determine whether he was

determine whether he was competent to stand trial.

Competent to stand trial. >> We're identifying that what

>> we're identifying that what he's looking like is similar to

he's looking like is similar to what we've experienced with my

what we've experienced with my mother, her brother, and her

mother, her brother, and her father.

Father. >> They spent time observing him

>> they spent time observing him very closely and sent him back

very closely and sent him back with a report that didn't just

with a report that didn't just say Nathan dunlap was competent

say Nathan dunlap was competent to stand trial, but said that he

to stand trial, but said that he was a malingerer.

Was a malingerer. A faker.

A faker. That he tended to enhance or

that he tended to enhance or invent symptomology consistent

invent symptomology consistent with what he wanted to be true.

With what he wanted to be true. >> But state psychiatrists never

>> but state psychiatrists never have full access to Nathan's

have full access to Nathan's medical records or family

medical records or family history, and the defense

history, and the defense believed the evaluation was

believed the evaluation was biased.

Biased. >> There's an entire argument

>> there's an entire argument over whether he actually does

over whether he actually does have mental health problems, or

have mental health problems, or whether he's faking in an effort

whether he's faking in an effort to make an insanity plea or

to make an insanity plea or avoid the death penalty.

Avoid the death penalty. >> During trial, Nathan's

>> during trial, Nathan's attorneys never mentioned his

attorneys never mentioned his psychiatric evaluations or the

psychiatric evaluations or the idea that he may have been

idea that he may have been suffering from a mental break

suffering from a mental break during the massacre.

During the massacre. >> The defense is afraid that if

>> the defense is afraid that if those charges of malingering

those charges of malingering came out, it would actually

came out, it would actually inflame the jury even further

inflame the jury even further against Nathan dunlap.

Against Nathan dunlap. So it's never a factor in the

so it's never a factor in the ultimate death penalty verdict.

>> Right around this time, toward the late '90s, Colorado

toward the late '90s, Colorado executed its first prisoner in

executed its first prisoner in about three decades.

About three decades. >> Colorado department of

>> Colorado department of corrections inmate Gary Davis

corrections inmate Gary Davis was pronounced dead at 8:33 this

was pronounced dead at 8:33 this evening.

Evening. >> Gary Lee Davis' execution

>> Gary Lee Davis' execution sent Nathan into a tailspin.

Sent Nathan into a tailspin. >> The guards were really

>> the guards were really taunting him that he was next,

taunting him that he was next, and that day he had a manic

and that day he had a manic break.

Break. He really just started ranting

he really just started ranting and raving and had to be

and raving and had to be hospitalized shortly thereafter.

Hospitalized shortly thereafter. >> Nathan's ongoing psychiatric

>> Nathan's ongoing psychiatric struggles brought about a major

struggles brought about a major shift in his appeal strategy.

Shift in his appeal strategy. Now with a new team of lawyers,

now with a new team of lawyers, the legal arguments would be

the legal arguments would be based squarely on Nathan's

based squarely on Nathan's mental health.

Mental health. >> They proceeded to file over a

>> they proceeded to file over a period of years his motion for

period of years his motion for post-conviction relief, alleging

post-conviction relief, alleging that the trial attorney was

that the trial attorney was ineffective, and so, therefore,

ineffective, and so, therefore, he didn't receive a fair trial.

He didn't receive a fair trial. >> If granted post-conviction

>> if granted post-conviction relief, Nathan's sentence could

relief, Nathan's sentence could be converted to life in prison.

Be converted to life in prison. And his appeals would bring up a

and his appeals would bring up a critical question that have long

critical question that have long surrounded the death penalty.

Surrounded the death penalty. How mentally ill does a convict

how mentally ill does a convict need to be to avoid being

need to be to avoid being executed?

Executed? >> There's just no competent,

>> there's just no competent, credible doctors that will tell

credible doctors that will tell you that his evil conduct was

you that his evil conduct was the product of being in a manic

the product of being in a manic state.

State. That his conduct was somehow

that his conduct was somehow altered by being bipolar or

altered by being bipolar or suffering from any other mental

suffering from any other mental illness.

Illness. >> The idea that Nathan could

>> the idea that Nathan could escape death due to mental

escape death due to mental illness enraged the victims'

illness enraged the victims' families and the sole survivor.

Families and the sole survivor. >> In my head, he had to be

>> in my head, he had to be crazy.

Crazy. I mean, how else would a sane

I mean, how else would a sane person walk into a child

person walk into a child pizzeria and shoot five people?

Pizzeria and shoot five people? He selfishly took the lives of

he selfishly took the lives of four other people, and I'm a

four other people, and I'm a strong believer in an eye for an

strong believer in an eye for an eye.

Eye. >> The fact that the death

>> the fact that the death penalty was ordered, that was

penalty was ordered, that was right.

Right. That was the thing to do.

That was the thing to do. As far as life in prison, Nathan

as far as life in prison, Nathan dunlap doesn't deserve that.

Dunlap doesn't deserve that. He deserves to die.

>>> In June 2005, 12 years after the Chuck E. Cheese massacre,

the Chuck E. Cheese massacre, another crime occurred in Aurora

another crime occurred in Aurora that would have a profound

that would have a profound effect on the Nathan dunlap case

effect on the Nathan dunlap case and the death penalty in

and the death penalty in Colorado.

Colorado. Javad Marshall fields and his

javad Marshall fields and his fiancee, Vivian wolf, were on

fiancee, Vivian wolf, were on their way out to dinner.

Their way out to dinner. >> Javad had a brilliant smile.

>> Javad had a brilliant smile. Vivian just loved life.

Vivian just loved life. They were both recent graduates

they were both recent graduates from Colorado state university.

From Colorado state university. She had just graduated with a

she had just graduated with a b.A. In nutrition, and my son

b.a. In nutrition, and my son had just graduated with a

had just graduated with a bachelor's degree in speech

bachelor's degree in speech communication and rhetoric.

Communication and rhetoric. >> Just three miles from where

>> just three miles from where the Chuck E. Cheese's massacre

the Chuck E. Cheese's massacre had taken place, javad and

had taken place, javad and Vivian were stopped at a red

Vivian were stopped at a red light when a car pulled

light when a car pulled alongside and someone opened

alongside and someone opened fire.

Fire. >> Gunmen attacked this car with

>> gunmen attacked this car with bullets, killing javad Marshall

bullets, killing javad Marshall fields and Vivian wolf.

Fields and Vivian wolf. >> Finding out that I had lost

>> finding out that I had lost my son, it was the most

my son, it was the most devastating event that I have

devastating event that I have ever experienced in my life.

Ever experienced in my life. I was very, very angry.

I was very, very angry. I was very upset.

I was very upset. And is so I went straight to th

and is so I went straight to th police department and started

police department and started asking questions.

Asking questions. >> Jevad had witnessed a

>> jevad had witnessed a friend's murder at a barbecue

friend's murder at a barbecue the summer before, and despite

the summer before, and despite receiving death threats, jevad

receiving death threats, jevad had decided to testify in court

had decided to testify in court against the accused killer.

Against the accused killer. >> He felt like it was the right

>> he felt like it was the right thing to do because he saw his

thing to do because he saw his best friend get shot down in

best friend get shot down in cold blood.

Cold blood. >> Jevad was murdered five days

>> jevad was murdered five days before the trial was set to

before the trial was set to begin.

Begin. >> Months later, sir Mario Owens

>> months later, sir Mario Owens and Robert ray, who'd both been

and Robert ray, who'd both been implicated in the barbecue

implicated in the barbecue shooting, were indicted for

shooting, were indicted for jevad and Vivian's murders.

Jevad and Vivian's murders. >> This case becomes one of the

>> this case becomes one of the biggest cases in Colorado, and a

biggest cases in Colorado, and a prosecution in this case also in

prosecution in this case also in arapaho county, they seek the

arapaho county, they seek the death penalty.

Death penalty. >> I think it's pretty clear why

>> I think it's pretty clear why we sought death in the cases of

we sought death in the cases of sir Mario Owens and Robert ray.

Sir Mario Owens and Robert ray. Listen, they murdered a witness

listen, they murdered a witness to a murder.

To a murder. It's not just its own killing.

It's not just its own killing. It's an attack on the entire

it's an attack on the entire criminal justice system.

Criminal justice system. >> They had killed before.

>> They had killed before. So the thought was, what do you

so the thought was, what do you give them?

Give them? Do you give them more time?

Do you give them more time? More life on top of life?

More life on top of life? >> But the state's case against

>> but the state's case against Owens and ray was largely

Owens and ray was largely circumstantial, and getting

circumstantial, and getting death wasn't guaranteed.

Death wasn't guaranteed. So Rhonda fields took an active

so Rhonda fields took an active role pushing for the ultimate

role pushing for the ultimate punishment.

Punishment. >> I was not a supporter of the

>> I was not a supporter of the death penalty prior to the death

death penalty prior to the death of my son, but now I believe

of my son, but now I believe that there's some crimes that

that there's some crimes that are so heinous that they deserve

are so heinous that they deserve the highest punishment that the

the highest punishment that the state has to offer.

State has to offer. >> I've seen mothers, people who

>> I've seen mothers, people who were killed who have been taken

were killed who have been taken apart by it and their lives

apart by it and their lives ruined, but I've seen people who

ruined, but I've seen people who did it differently.

Did it differently. >> I did not want another family

>> I did not want another family member to have to experience the

member to have to experience the grief and the pain that I did.

Grief and the pain that I did. And so I worked with my elected

and so I worked with my elected official at the time to pass

official at the time to pass legislation to strengthen the

legislation to strengthen the state's witness protection laws.

State's witness protection laws. I was able to pass two bills

I was able to pass two bills just as a citizen just working

just as a citizen just working through my own elected official.

Through my own elected official. And so from there, I was tapped

and so from there, I was tapped to run for office, and I did.

To run for office, and I did. And I won.

And I won. >> Rhonda was elected to

>> Rhonda was elected to represent Aurora in the state

represent Aurora in the state legislature.

Legislature. She won in a landslide.

She won in a landslide. >> Rhonda fields becomes a

>> Rhonda fields becomes a leader on two issues.

Leader on two issues. One, for gun control.

One, for gun control. Very, very, very pro-gun

very, very, very pro-gun control.

Control. Two, she's very pro-death

two, she's very pro-death penalty.

Penalty. >> During the time Rhonda was

>> during the time Rhonda was pushing for death for her son's

pushing for death for her son's killers, Nathan dunlap continued

killers, Nathan dunlap continued to work on his appeals.

To work on his appeals. >> This was not a chance to

>> this was not a chance to proof that he was innocent, to

proof that he was innocent, to set dunlap free.

Set dunlap free. The focus was on his mental

the focus was on his mental health and any other mitigating

health and any other mitigating factors that could have gone

factors that could have gone into a jury's decision about

into a jury's decision about whether he should be put to

whether he should be put to death.

Death. >> Nathan dunlap's attorneys

>> Nathan dunlap's attorneys make a pretty powerful case

make a pretty powerful case about bipolarity saying this was

about bipolarity saying this was not properly explored.

Not properly explored. In the original case.

In the original case. >> By 2006, prison doctors had

>> by 2006, prison doctors had finally diagnosed Nathan as

finally diagnosed Nathan as bipolar and put him on the

bipolar and put him on the powerful drug, lithium.

Powerful drug, lithium. Once medicated, Nathan's

once medicated, Nathan's behavior on death row changed

behavior on death row changed radically, and he became a model

radically, and he became a model prisoner.

Prisoner. >> He was an entirely different

>> he was an entirely different person from the young man even

person from the young man even that I knew.

That I knew. So it certainly has to be a part

so it certainly has to be a part of why he did what he did.

Of why he did what he did. >> As Nathan's appeals were

>> as Nathan's appeals were being reviewed by the courts, a

being reviewed by the courts, a movement to fully ban capital

movement to fully ban capital pun iishment in Colorado was

pun iishment in Colorado was picking up speed.

Picking up speed. >> I think that america has

>> I think that america has hopelessly entangled two

hopelessly entangled two concepts.

Concepts. One is justice, and the other is

one is justice, and the other is vengeance.

Vengeance. And we need to untangle those.

And we need to untangle those. >> With polls showing nationwide

>> with polls showing nationwide support for the death penalty

support for the death penalty dwindling, a bill was introduced

dwindling, a bill was introduced in the Colorado state

in the Colorado state legislature to outlaw

legislature to outlaw executions.

Executions. >> We just felt strongly that we

>> we just felt strongly that we needed to start this debate.

Needed to start this debate. We needed to put it out there.

We needed to put it out there. >> As passage of the bill looked

>> as passage of the bill looked more and more likely, it seemed

more and more likely, it seemed possible that Rhonda's son's

possible that Rhonda's son's killers and Nathan dunlap might

>>> There's been 7,000 murders in Colorado in 40 years.

In Colorado in 40 years. We have executed one person.

We have executed one person. >> In 2009, a bill banning

>> in 2009, a bill banning capital punishment had strong

capital punishment had strong support in the Colorado

support in the Colorado legislature.

Legislature. >> The effort to repeal the

>> the effort to repeal the death penalty in Colorado came

death penalty in Colorado came from the fact that there is a

from the fact that there is a budget crisis, and the death

budget crisis, and the death penalty is a huge money drain.

Penalty is a huge money drain. There's one estimate that the

there's one estimate that the Nathan dunlap case has cost the

Nathan dunlap case has cost the state $18 million.

State $18 million. >> It's absolutely more

>> it's absolutely more expensive to handle a death case

expensive to handle a death case because of the time it takes and

because of the time it takes and the appeals going forth for 20

the appeals going forth for 20 years.

Years. >> How can we better use

>> how can we better use resources to be more effective?

Resources to be more effective? >> In addition to its high cost,

>> in addition to its high cost, supporters of the bill argue

supporters of the bill argue that the death penalty was used

that the death penalty was used inconsistently across the state.

Inconsistently across the state. >> In some counties, the

>> in some counties, the district attorneys go after a

district attorneys go after a life without parole sentence.

Life without parole sentence. In some counties, they're known

in some counties, they're known for going after the death

for going after the death penalty.

Penalty. So should your geography really

so should your geography really determine your fate?

Determine your fate? >> There have been many multiple

>> there have been many multiple murders in Colorado that have

murders in Colorado that have not been prosecuted as capital

not been prosecuted as capital cases, so the question is why?

Cases, so the question is why? >> When you actually try to

>> when you actually try to probe in what sense is this

probe in what sense is this justice, there is no answer

justice, there is no answer other than, you know, an eye for

other than, you know, an eye for an eye.

An eye. This person did this horrible,

this person did this horrible, unspeakable thing and we are

unspeakable thing and we are going to do something back to

going to do something back to them.

Them. >> Rhonda fields, who had

>> Rhonda fields, who had continued to push for death

continued to push for death sentences for her son's killers,

sentences for her son's killers, spoke out against the bill.

Spoke out against the bill. >> I did not want to see the

>> I did not want to see the death penalty be repealed in our

death penalty be repealed in our state because I think it's a

state because I think it's a tool that our d.A.S need to have

tool that our d.A.S need to have access to.

Access to. There has to be some level of

there has to be some level of accountability and punishment

accountability and punishment for people who commit multiple

for people who commit multiple murders.

Murders. >> In the end, the death penalty

>> in the end, the death penalty ban passed in the house but fell

ban passed in the house but fell short in the State Senate by a

short in the State Senate by a single vote.

Single vote. >> If you look back over the

>> if you look back over the last decade or so, I'd guess,

last decade or so, I'd guess, about every two years the life

about every two years the life or killers crowd convinces

or killers crowd convinces legislators for a bill to lower

legislators for a bill to lower the bar for the sanctions for

the bar for the sanctions for heinous murders, and those

heinous murders, and those invariably fail, but I don't

invariably fail, but I don't think this is just what do I

think this is just what do I think is the appropriate law to

think is the appropriate law to have on the books regarding the

have on the books regarding the death penalty?

Death penalty? This is what the state of

this is what the state of Colorado thinks.

Colorado thinks. >> By the time the bill failed,

>> by the time the bill failed, both of Rhonda's son's killers,

both of Rhonda's son's killers, sir Mario Owens, and Robert ray,

sir Mario Owens, and Robert ray, had been sentenced to death.

Had been sentenced to death. They joined the only other

they joined the only other occupant on Colorado's death

occupant on Colorado's death row, Nathan dunlap.

Row, Nathan dunlap. Critics of the death penalty

critics of the death penalty noticed troubling similarities.

Noticed troubling similarities. >> Owens, ray, and dunlap all

>> Owens, ray, and dunlap all went to the same high school.

Went to the same high school. They all were young

they all were young African-American men at the time

African-American men at the time that they were charged in their

that they were charged in their cases.

Cases. And they were all charged in the

and they were all charged in the same exact judicial district.

Same exact judicial district. Why are these three singled out,

why are these three singled out, and they're the only people on

and they're the only people on death row?

Death row? >> Race is extremely important,

>> race is extremely important, but it's not important as it

but it's not important as it relates to this concept of death

relates to this concept of death penalty.

Penalty. We happen to have three

we happen to have three African-American men who are on

African-American men who are on death row for the same thing.

Death row for the same thing. Cold-blooded murder.

Cold-blooded murder. And in my view, it has nothing

and in my view, it has nothing to do with race.

To do with race. It has everything to do about

it has everything to do about murder.

Murder. >> Over the next few years,

>> over the next few years, Rhonda fields would continue to

Rhonda fields would continue to be an important voice in favor

be an important voice in favor of capital punishment.

Of capital punishment. Especially because the dunlap

especially because the dunlap case was about to remerge in the

case was about to remerge in the headlines.

Headlines. After nearly 20 years of court

after nearly 20 years of court proceedings, Nathan's defense

proceedings, Nathan's defense team was running out of options.

Team was running out of options. In 2012, the tenth circuit court

in 2012, the tenth circuit court rejected his final appeal, and a

rejected his final appeal, and a year later, the supreme court

year later, the supreme court refused to hear his case.

Refused to hear his case. District attorney, George

district attorney, George brockler, now in charge of the

brockler, now in charge of the case took decisive action.

Case took decisive action. >> We set an execution state for

>> we set an execution state for August of 2013.

August of 2013. Now, dunlap's last effort to

now, dunlap's last effort to save his life is in asking the

save his life is in asking the governor of the state of

governor of the state of Colorado for clemency.

Colorado for clemency. >> In 2010, governor John

>> in 2010, governor John hickenlooper Jr., the popular

hickenlooper Jr., the popular former mayor of Denver, had won

former mayor of Denver, had won the governor's seat in

the governor's seat in commanding fashion.

Commanding fashion. >> This clemency appeal arrives

>> this clemency appeal arrives on John hickenlooper's desk as

on John hickenlooper's desk as the last hope for Nathan

the last hope for Nathan dunlap's life.

Dunlap's life. >> With eyes across the nation

>> with eyes across the nation watching Colorado, governor

watching Colorado, governor hickenlooper would be forced to

hickenlooper would be forced to decide whether Nathan dunlap

decide whether Nathan dunlap >>> in may 2013, Nathan dunlap

>>> in may 2013, Nathan dunlap submitted a petition for

submitted a petition for clemency to governor John

clemency to governor John hickenlooper.

Hickenlooper. It was accompanied by a video.

It was accompanied by a video. >> I did what I did.

>> I did what I did. I regret who I did to the

I regret who I did to the victims' families.

Victims' families. Bipolar played a big role in

bipolar played a big role in what I was doing.

What I was doing. >> Nathan's petition requested

>> Nathan's petition requested that his sentence be commuted to

that his sentence be commuted to life in prison because his

life in prison because his mental health issues were never

mental health issues were never taken into account at trial.

Taken into account at trial. It also argued that the death

it also argued that the death penalty in Colorado was

penalty in Colorado was infrequently used, aurbitrrbiti

infrequently used, aurbitrrbiti sought.

Sought. >> We addressed the mental

>> we addressed the mental health issues.

Health issues. They'd all been raised before in

they'd all been raised before in appellate court levels and now

appellate court levels and now they were being raised yet again

they were being raised yet again to ask the governor to act as

to ask the governor to act as the 13th jury, the super-juror.

The 13th jury, the super-juror. >> We also gave him a book of

>> we also gave him a book of pictures from the crime scene

pictures from the crime scene and letters from victims'

and letters from victims' families.

Families. >> As part of his process, the

>> as part of his process, the governor met in person with the

governor met in person with the victims' families.

Victims' families. >> Most of the victims' families

>> most of the victims' families were there, and most of US were

were there, and most of US were very adamant that he deserved

very adamant that he deserved the death penalty.

The death penalty. >> I explained, you know, I've

>> I explained, you know, I've remained quiet for this long, I

remained quiet for this long, I haven't said anything, but now

haven't said anything, but now it's time for me to speak up.

It's time for me to speak up. I think Nathan deserves to face

I think Nathan deserves to face his maker.

His maker. >> But some in the room,

>> but some in the room, including victim Colleen

including victim Colleen o'Connor's mother, felt

o'Connor's mother, felt differently.

Differently. >> Our family was the family

>> our family was the family that was more against the death

that was more against the death penalty than anybody else.

Penalty than anybody else. What I said to the governor was,

what I said to the governor was, most of these years I haven't

most of these years I haven't thought about Nathan dunlap.

Thought about Nathan dunlap. What I've been doing is I've

what I've been doing is I've been trying to heal.

Been trying to heal. And I said to him, governor, I

and I said to him, governor, I wouldn't want to be in your

wouldn't want to be in your shoes for anything, because I

shoes for anything, because I couldn't say yes.

Couldn't say yes. >> The governor has a lot of

>> the governor has a lot of power here.

Power here. To sign a death warrant or to

to sign a death warrant or to commute a sentence.

Commute a sentence. And so you're really presented

and so you're really presented with, I think, one of the more

with, I think, one of the more difficult things a human being

difficult things a human being can be presented with.

Can be presented with. Is that final decision that

is that final decision that comes down to just you.

Comes down to just you. >> On may 22nd, 2013, governor

>> on may 22nd, 2013, governor hickenlooper called the families

hickenlooper called the families to inform them of his decision.

To inform them of his decision. He then stepped in front of the

he then stepped in front of the cameras.

Cameras. >> Well, we decided to Grant a

>> well, we decided to Grant a temporary reprieve.

Temporary reprieve. The point of having a temporary

the point of having a temporary reprieve rather than clemency is

reprieve rather than clemency is really out of the respect to the

really out of the respect to the rule of law.

Rule of law. >> John hickenlooper ultimately

>> John hickenlooper ultimately decides to temporarily postpone

decides to temporarily postpone the execution.

The execution. Temporarily, but indefinitely in

temporarily, but indefinitely in the sense of as long as i'm

the sense of as long as i'm governor, Nathan dunlap will not

governor, Nathan dunlap will not be executed.

Be executed. >> A reprieve is the last thing

>> a reprieve is the last thing anybody expected.

Anybody expected. It's kind of a yes or a no

it's kind of a yes or a no issue, and a reprieve just

issue, and a reprieve just defers it.

Defers it. >> It's like a time-out.

>> It's like a time-out. The last reported use of this

the last reported use of this reprieve power that we could

reprieve power that we could find was in the mid 1890s.

Find was in the mid 1890s. >> They found him guilty and

>> they found him guilty and sentenced him to death based on

sentenced him to death based on laws that were passed in

laws that were passed in Colorado, by coloradans, and

Colorado, by coloradans, and remain on the books to this day.

Remain on the books to this day. >> Reaction was swift, and

>> reaction was swift, and victim reyolic.

Victim reyolic. >> I'm so furious.

>> I'm so furious. I can't tell you.

I can't tell you. >> John hickenlooper basically

>> John hickenlooper basically made a mockery out of the

made a mockery out of the judicial system.

Judicial system. >> I just felt like he's driving

>> I just felt like he's driving a tank over US.

A tank over US. >> This man, he's got to be a

>> this man, he's got to be a balless wonder.

Balless wonder. That's all I can think of him.

That's all I can think of him. >> I mean, we knew when we made

>> I mean, we knew when we made this decision that we were

this decision that we were making the hardest decision,

making the hardest decision, right?

Right? That we'd be criticized from

that we'd be criticized from both sides.

Both sides. We try to hear all the voices

we try to hear all the voices and all the perspectives to try

and all the perspectives to try to get to justice.

To get to justice. Justice is really dispassionate.

Justice is really dispassionate. That's part of the governor's

that's part of the governor's role when the governor comes in

role when the governor comes in after this whole ark of judicial

after this whole ark of judicial process and has to say, did we

process and has to say, did we miss anything?

Miss anything? Is this really the right

is this really the right decision?

Decision? There's no question that this

there's no question that this was cold-blooded murder in the

was cold-blooded murder in the most evil sense.

Most evil sense. Even to this day, I can remember

even to this day, I can remember listening in 1993 to the details

listening in 1993 to the details of what happened in Chuck e.

Of what happened in Chuck e. Cheese.

Cheese. And you feel a physical

and you feel a physical repulsion and a hatred.

Repulsion and a hatred. It's almost visceral, right?

It's almost visceral, right? But that's not when you should

but that's not when you should make decisions and that's not

make decisions and that's not necessarily where justice comes

necessarily where justice comes from.

From. >> The governor acknowledges

>> the governor acknowledges that dunlap's psychiatric

that dunlap's psychiatric history played a role in his

history played a role in his repri

repri reprieve, but his executive

reprieve, but his executive order also calls into question

order also calls into question whether the state should be

whether the state should be putting people to death at all.

Putting people to death at all. >> Death is different.

>> Death is different. Right?

Right? It's final.

It's final. And the finality of it is so

and the finality of it is so powerful that I think it makes

powerful that I think it makes all of US look at it in a

all of US look at it in a different sense.

Different sense. There's a reason why now 18

there's a reason why now 18 states have banned the death

states have banned the death penalty.

Penalty. I was the entire state to have

I was the entire state to have an examination around the issues

an examination around the issues of the death penalty, whether it

of the death penalty, whether it is effective policy or whether

is effective policy or whether it is thing that is broken and

it is thing that is broken and really doesn't function well.

Really doesn't function well. >> By making the reprieve

>> by making the reprieve temporary, the governor left

temporary, the governor left over the possibility that the

over the possibility that the next election will decide Nathan

next election will decide Nathan dunlap's fate, and the day after

dunlap's fate, and the day after his announcement, one of the

his announcement, one of the governor's biggest political

governor's biggest political opponents declared his

opponents declared his candidacy.

Candidacy. >> If I'm elected governor,

>> if I'm elected governor, let's see, 20 minutes after I

let's see, 20 minutes after I actually enter the office and

actually enter the office and get a pen in my hand, I will

get a pen in my hand, I will rescind the order.

Rescind the order. When the death penalty is

when the death penalty is subjected to an election,

subjected to an election, whether a gubernatorial, in this

whether a gubernatorial, in this case Nathan dunlap, or a ballot

case Nathan dunlap, or a ballot measure, we are saying

measure, we are saying essentially that the emotions of

essentially that the emotions of the mob should rule.

The mob should rule. >> Certain things are simply not

>> certain things are simply not up for a popular vote, and I

up for a popular vote, and I believe whether someone lives or

believe whether someone lives or dies should be one of those

dies should be one of those things.

Things. >> You know, it goes back to

>> you know, it goes back to public stonings and lynchings,

public stonings and lynchings, you know, we don't have mob

you know, we don't have mob justice.

Justice. >> In early 2014, a poll showed

>> in early 2014, a poll showed that a majority of coloradans

that a majority of coloradans still supported the death

still supported the death penalty and disapproved of how

penalty and disapproved of how the governor handled the dunlap

the governor handled the dunlap case.

Case. >> We believe in upholding the

>> we believe in upholding the law, and the law says execute

law, and the law says execute him, and it's well deserved.

Him, and it's well deserved. >> The governor made it a

>> the governor made it a political issue.

Political issue. I mean, there is one person in

I mean, there is one person in the state of Colorado who is

the state of Colorado who is more interested in the governor

more interested in the governor being re-elected than even the

being re-elected than even the governor.

Governor. That's Nathan dunlap.

That's Nathan dunlap. >> Despite running on a

>> despite running on a pro-death penalty platform in

pro-death penalty platform in 2010, governor hickenlooper

2010, governor hickenlooper recently stated publicly for the

recently stated publicly for the first time he is now against the

first time he is now against the death penalty.

Death penalty. Meanwhile, Bob bopray who won

meanwhile, Bob bopray who won the republican gubernatorial

the republican gubernatorial nomination has said

nomination has said unequivocally that if elected,

unequivocally that if elected, he will put dunlap to death.

He will put dunlap to death. Whether that will provide

whether that will provide justice is still an open

justice is still an open question.

Question. >> Is executing someone 20 years

>> is executing someone 20 years later really the kind of

later really the kind of retribution that is making US as

retribution that is making US as a society a better society?

A society a better society? >> I got a daughter murdered.

>> I got a daughter murdered. I should be going, kill him,

I should be going, kill him, kill him, kill him.

Kill him, kill him. But you know how I feel?

But you know how I feel? Nathan rotting where he's

Nathan rotting where he's rotting is actually worse than

rotting is actually worse than the death penalty.

The death penalty. I think that he deserves to stay

I think that he deserves to stay exactly in the hole that he's in

exactly in the hole that he's in and suffer and suffer and think

and suffer and suffer and think about what he did.

About what he did. Let him rot.