All language subtitles for Death Row Stories S01E08 Nathan Dunlap Eye For An Eye

>>> 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.