Perfect Murder, Perfect Town - Lawrence Schiller [294]
After talking to his colleagues, Hofstrom left for Boulder. Hunter returned to the room and the governor was called and told the outcome of the meeting. Romer said he wanted to call a press conference for that same afternoon, before the problem got any worse. He would tell the media Thomas’s letter was without merit and that, to move the case along, special prosecutors were being brought in to help Hunter’s office. Romer asked about the grand jury. Hunter said that for some time he had planned to begin that process on September 15. The governor was glad to have something positive to talk about: He, not Hunter, would announce the grand jury, he said.
A few minutes later, the four metro DAs walked the four blocks to the state capitol. Hunter stayed behind while the DAs met with Romer. Afterward, the governor called Hunter, who understood it was best that he not attend the press conference. The metro DAs had more credibility, so they should answer the media’s questions.
Hunter and Wise then stepped into an elevator, followed by a reporter and a photographer. When the photographer started taking pictures, Wise wanted to put his hand up to the camera lens but stopped himself. It was not the image he wanted to see in the next morning’s papers.
As Hunter and Wise were driving back to Boulder, Governor Romer stepped before reporters and TV cameras and announced that Alex Hunter would be convening a grand jury.
“It would not be proper to appoint a special prosecutor now,” Romer added. “It would impair [the case], it would delay it.” Then the governor stepped aside. The metro DAs, who were seated behind a long table, confirmed their support of Hunter and announced that outside prosecutors would be assisting Hunter in the grand jury presentation. Grant told reporters that the prosecutors would help with legwork, interview witnesses, and prepare the case for trial—and protect it from attack on appeal.
“You don’t replace the prosecution team just because [the] police are not pleased with [the DA’s] decisions,” defense attorney Larry Pozner told the press later that afternoon. “Justice is not a pickup football game. You don’t get rid of players because you don’t like them.”
The next morning, Wise wrote a letter to Janet Reno, requesting her assistance in obtaining the services of Al LaCabe, whom Bill Ritter had recommended as an outside prosecutor. Ritter also called Reno, whom he had worked with before. He told her how important it was to get LaCabe. Reno said she would talk to Henry Solano, LaCabe’s boss.
It’s the phenomenon of Steve Thomas’s letter. In spite of the fact that the metro DAs and the governor said to the world, “We know all the answers to all these allegations and there is nothing there,” clearly that’s not the impression the world got that afternoon. They think Thomas is a fucking hero. We should have answered all his charges point by point.
A friend of mine was recently asked, “What do you think about Alex Hunter?” and the guy answered his own question. “I think the guy is really slimy. He’s obviously been bought.”
Our reputations have been ruined. They’re fucking down the toilet. I can’t spend time dwelling on the problem, because I don’t know if it can be changed. I just have to live with it.
Regardless of what happens out of the grand jury, even assuming an indictment and conviction, I don’t think we can salvage our reputations. I believe the outcome of the case will be treated as “in spite of mumbling, incompetent pond scum, others were brought in and took it over and salvaged something.”
Coming up to this case, I had some minor recognition, and I think I had a good reputation. And it’s gone. But you can imagine Hunter.
It is really sad.
—Bill Wise
When Lou Smit heard the governor’s announcement, he was devastated. Now he knew there was no turning back for Hunter. Smit was, he said, tired