October 06, 2010 12:37 AM UTC

Garnett Unleashes Scott Kimball on Suthers

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• by: Colorado Pols

This is the expanded web version of a TV spot set to debut shortly in the Colorado Attorney General’s race, released today by the campaign of Democrat Stan Garnett. The subject matter is a convicted serial killer named Scott Kimball, who was brought to Colorado on the authority of now-incumbent Attorney General John Suthers. We’ve discussed this case several times over the past few months, including Suthers’ denials of any knowledge of Kimball–denials maintained even after it was disclosed that Suthers’ staff continued to seal records in the case for years afterward.

Full release from Garnett follows: “For too many years, the families of Kimball’s victims have suffered a conspiracy of silence, their inquiries about the case meeting a wall of sealed documents and general evasiveness on the part of the government entrusted to protect them. The people demand better than this from their public officials, and rightly so.”

The case has seen increasing attention recently, both as the election approaches and as new potential leads on crimes committed by Kimball continue to surface. Just about every political analyst questioned about this case agrees that it could be very damaging to Suthers–if word about it reaches enough voters. We’ve heard that Garnett’s $100,000 in prepurchased ad time will be basically devoted to this spot. Politically, it cuts to the heart of Suthers’ strength as a law-and-order prosecutor: if anything can topple a Republican AG in a Republican year, this is it.

Press Release

Stan Garnett

For Our Attorney General

“Tough. Fair. On Your Side.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

Oct. 5, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT: Charlie Brennan

(720) 383-0133

Scott Kimball and the Colorado Attorney General

The case of serial killer Scott Lee Kimball is important for the people of Colorado to understand when casting their votes in the race for Attorney General. It underscores themes of government accountability, efficiency and transparency that should matter to all voters. It is highlighted in an Internet video we have released, is now posted to You Tube, and is linked here

John Suthers, while serving as U.S. Attorney for Colorado, put his signature in December 2002 to the deal that put Kimball out on the streets. This was done purportedly so that Kimball could serve as an FBI informant – although there has never been a shred of evidence that Kimball provided any useful information while under the supervision of Suthers’ office and on the federal government’s payroll. The management and oversight lapses on the part of the U.S. Attorney’s office, working in tandem with the FBI while Kimball was murdering at least four people, did not end with just that one signature.

Following Kimball’s release Dec. 18, 2002, John Suthers’ assistants appeared in court on Kimball’s case at least seven times during the balance of John Suthers’ tenure as U.S. Attorney – including one hearing at which Kimball himself inexplicably failed to show up, with no federal authority able to explain his whereabouts. Kimball is now considered a suspect in yet another murder, one which occurred nine days after his no-show in federal court. On another occasion, June 20, 2003, as reported by KDVR/Fox31, the U.S. Attorney’s office hosted a multi-agency meeting on Kimball, staffed by no fewer than four of its own prosecutors.

“For too many years, the families of Kimball’s victims have suffered a conspiracy of silence, their inquiries about the case meeting a wall of sealed documents and general evasiveness on the part of the government entrusted to protect them,” Garnett said. “The people demand better than this from their public officials, and rightly so.”

This lack of government accountability in the Kimball case only came to a halt in the last few years after Garnett’s opponent left the U.S. Attorney’s office. That’s when fresh personnel at the FBI focused anew on the case, combining their great efforts with the tireless work of a Lafayette police detective, and joined with Garnett’s staff in the Boulder District Attorney’s office to finally put Kimball securely behind bars where he belongs.

“The incumbent has repeatedly professed no recollection of any involvement in the Kimball case, and insists the entire matter was handled by staff members who told him nothing of what they were doing,” Garnett said. “That shows an alarming level of detachment from a case which generated multiple press releases from his office, and also included direct involvement by numerous members of the U.S. Attorney Office under his supervision.”

Garnett said the incumbent’s handling of the Kimball case highlights a clear distinction in the candidates’ management styles, and in their commitment to accountability, efficiency and transparency. It’s a difference that will be obvious when Stan Garnett is Colorado Attorney General.

For additional information, contact Charlie Brennan at Charlie.brennan24@gmail.com Also, please visit the campaign website at Garnettforag.com.