From the denver post:
Federal prosecutor broke law
Gun crime program attorney failed to get permit for weapon that accidentally discharged
By Kevin Flynn Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
A federal prosecutor recently hired to help with a crackdown on gun law violations at one time carried a concealed weapon without a permit.
Dave Conner recently rejoined the U.S. attorney's staff, in part, to work on the Project Exile gun crime program. For a year and a half while he worked there earlier, he carried a loaded .45-caliber pistol to the office.
That was until it accidentally discharged in December 1994.
Conner had no permit for the gun, which he carried in his briefcase after receiving threats after a high-profile murder case.
It is illegal in Denver to carry a loaded weapon. Colorado law prohibits carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. And federal law forbids most people from bringing guns into federal buildings.
"This is probably the most embarrassing, humiliating thing that has happened to me in my adult life," Conner said.
U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland plans to kick off Project Exile's $400,000 public awareness program Monday.
Strickland said he knew about Conner's gun incident. But he said what Conner did wouldn't have come under Project Exile's aim.
"Dave Conner has one of the finest reputations of any prosecutor who's ever served in Colorado," Strickland said. "He admitted a mistake, it was fully investigated and he was reprimanded.
"We're honored that he would consider returning to the U.S. attorney's office."
Conner said he bought a pistol in spring 1993 when he received several threats after the conviction of Kevin Fears.
The case involved the murder of a robbery case witness and a friend, and the wounding of a third man. While the case was pending, another witness was shot but survived. There was a mistrial after several jurors reported strange phone calls.
Conner continued to bring the gun to the office after the threats ceased. In December 1994, a visitor noticed Conner's gun and asked to see it.
The gun discharged after the visitor handed it back to Conner. The bullet struck a piece of furniture.
The U.S. Justice Department's inspector general investigated and Conner was reprimanded. Three months later, he was removed as head of the general crimes unit.
Conner said that there were other reasons for the demotion, but that the gun incident alone would have been sufficient for it. He quit in May 1996 and took a job with the federal public defender.
Dick Spriggs, chief of the U.S. attorney's criminal division, said federal law is gray on whether prosecutors can carry weapons to work. The law gives an exemption to some law enforcement employees, including those involved in "prosecution," which Spriggs said would include Conner.
But the exemption is limited to those whose "official duties" include carrying a firearm. That doesn't include prosecutors.
Conner said he doesn't believe he violated that law, which can carry a penalty of up to a year in jail for carrying a weapon into a federal building.
March 5, 2000
This makes me think that some animals are more equal than others.
Noel
Federal prosecutor broke law
Gun crime program attorney failed to get permit for weapon that accidentally discharged
By Kevin Flynn Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
A federal prosecutor recently hired to help with a crackdown on gun law violations at one time carried a concealed weapon without a permit.
Dave Conner recently rejoined the U.S. attorney's staff, in part, to work on the Project Exile gun crime program. For a year and a half while he worked there earlier, he carried a loaded .45-caliber pistol to the office.
That was until it accidentally discharged in December 1994.
Conner had no permit for the gun, which he carried in his briefcase after receiving threats after a high-profile murder case.
It is illegal in Denver to carry a loaded weapon. Colorado law prohibits carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. And federal law forbids most people from bringing guns into federal buildings.
"This is probably the most embarrassing, humiliating thing that has happened to me in my adult life," Conner said.
U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland plans to kick off Project Exile's $400,000 public awareness program Monday.
Strickland said he knew about Conner's gun incident. But he said what Conner did wouldn't have come under Project Exile's aim.
"Dave Conner has one of the finest reputations of any prosecutor who's ever served in Colorado," Strickland said. "He admitted a mistake, it was fully investigated and he was reprimanded.
"We're honored that he would consider returning to the U.S. attorney's office."
Conner said he bought a pistol in spring 1993 when he received several threats after the conviction of Kevin Fears.
The case involved the murder of a robbery case witness and a friend, and the wounding of a third man. While the case was pending, another witness was shot but survived. There was a mistrial after several jurors reported strange phone calls.
Conner continued to bring the gun to the office after the threats ceased. In December 1994, a visitor noticed Conner's gun and asked to see it.
The gun discharged after the visitor handed it back to Conner. The bullet struck a piece of furniture.
The U.S. Justice Department's inspector general investigated and Conner was reprimanded. Three months later, he was removed as head of the general crimes unit.
Conner said that there were other reasons for the demotion, but that the gun incident alone would have been sufficient for it. He quit in May 1996 and took a job with the federal public defender.
Dick Spriggs, chief of the U.S. attorney's criminal division, said federal law is gray on whether prosecutors can carry weapons to work. The law gives an exemption to some law enforcement employees, including those involved in "prosecution," which Spriggs said would include Conner.
But the exemption is limited to those whose "official duties" include carrying a firearm. That doesn't include prosecutors.
Conner said he doesn't believe he violated that law, which can carry a penalty of up to a year in jail for carrying a weapon into a federal building.
March 5, 2000
This makes me think that some animals are more equal than others.
Noel