Manzanares hounded by prosecutor, press
The Colorado Hispanic Bar Association is deeply saddened at the death of Larry Manzanares, a community leader and honored colleague. Manzanares was a guiding influence in his many years as a member of our board of directors. We respected his warm sense of humor and his humble service to the community.
We are appalled that this dispute involving a laptop worth $1,500 escalated into an enormous tragedy. In our view, two related developments in recent weeks deserve scrutiny.
First, Scott Storey, the special prosecutor, demonstrated a lack of judgment and thirst for publicity that appears to exceed the bounds of appropriate professional conduct.
Storey inserted into the charging affidavit details of alleged pornographic materials on the laptop that were entirely sensationalistic and irrelevant to the charges.
He read lurid details at a press conference, which served no purpose but resulted in prejudicial publicity.
Second, the press “hyped” irrelevant facts that exceeded their duty to tell the story. With more than 10 stories in one week and headlines that destroyed Manzanares’ reputation, the Rocky Mountain News demonstrated irresponsible editorial judgment harking back to the era of “yellow journalism.”
For example, when the charges were filed, the Rocky printed a “mugshot” of him on the front page — and made sure to mention in the headline the irrelevant sex videos allegedly found on the computer.
One mistake in an honorable career should not have led to this tragic ending. Manzanares regrettably made the decision to take his own life, but he was hounded by an overzealous prosecutor and press. They forgot that the Constitution’s guarantees of a fair trial apply to everyone — even former judges.
Awilda R. Marquez, Denver
President,
Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
wow can you believe that some prosecutor was zealous in his actions? why not also play the race card since he was 'hispanic'. being a judge he knew better but just wanted to get away with the same things people did who HE would judge and send to jail for.
I guess you have to protect your own even when they are a thief.
So Hispanic Bar Association, If this lawyer was white you basically wouldn't care.
Blood is thicker and greater than the law with your group it seems.
Posted by Ben on July 3, 2007 06:56 AMHmmmm...lotta stuff in play here.Any high-profile group is thoroughly invested in maintaining an appearance of divine grace and attacking those who comment on the transparency of the Emperor's New Clothes.Hence the rush to apply courtroom standards to the public forum,as well as the somewhat nervous shuffle of dignitaries to the bully pulpit to eulogize the dearly departed,whose act of self-destruction ensured that courtroom standards would never be applied to a discussion of his situation. If Manzanares had gone to trial I am certain that any number of influential folks would have worked very hard to obtain for him the OJ/Robert Blake/Marion Berry/Jane Fonda brand of justice. The only people who are doing their job at this circus are Scott Storey and Gary Lozow.
Posted by Jimminy on July 3, 2007 07:04 AMEnough already! Larry Manzanares was a depressed man who killed himself. It was all very sad. He was a public servant who committed a crime. The blame rests on Larry's shoulders. The media did their job. And enough of giving a person a pass because of his ethnic heritage. That is racism. God Bless Larry's family and give them comfort in their time of sorrow. Let him rest in peace.
Posted by TW on July 3, 2007 07:06 AMThere were a couple of other computer theft cases involving city property discussed previously. Did those also generate 80-page indictments, including how the suspect used the computer?
For all we know , he didn`t read the papers or watch TV. It is possible, he committed suicide all on his own because he couldn`t face the future he created.
He probably wouldn`t have gone to jail, this was a first offence. He still had the opportunity to plead innocent.
Stop blaming the media, the mans facade slipped and he couldn`t live with it.
That is a terrible shame but not a community sin.
Posted by Sharon B. on July 3, 2007 09:18 AMYeeesh!!! Enough excuses and finger-pointing already!! What ever happened to laying the responsibility where it belongs? In this case right on Larry Manzanares.
If the Jeff-CO DA had absolutely nothing on Manzanares he would never have been charged.
Guilty or not Manzanares killed himself!! The Jeffco D.A. or RMN didn't hold the gun on him and pull the trigger. Putting the blame on everyone but, Manzanares is getting totally ridiculous!!!
There is no doubt that just like Jesus Christ was assisted in his suicide Larry Manzanares was assisted in his suicide.
Posted by Richard Grimes Risen Ape r22037@yahoo.com (ffrf.org Ask for a free copy of Freethought Today) on July 3, 2007 11:28 AMStorey didn't write the indictment, an investigator did.
I wonder why we never heard anything out of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
concerning Nifong and his out-of-control
prosecution? (persecution)
Is the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association serious? Haven't they noticed the unfairness that goes on every day in our courtrooms?
Overzealous prosecutors.........charges way beyond the seriousness of the crime.......a person's life ruined........Welcome to the criminal justice system.
Posted by Judy on July 3, 2007 11:35 AMIt's clearly time to get over the disgraceful conduct of the D.A.'s office and the sleazy journalism of the News. The people here got their entertainment and titillation, a little side of blood to enjoy vicariously, and now they are ready to move on to the next victim. The life of Larry Manzanare means nothing next to their desire to be entertained.
Posted by UYRMN on July 3, 2007 12:02 PMRight on, Judy. Remember, except in the most egregious cases with lots of national publicity (like Duke) prosecutors are basically unaccountable.
It is a tragedy that he chose to take his own life. My condolences to his family.
Posted by RU Serious on July 3, 2007 02:24 PM