CAPITOL HILL RESIDENTS APPLAUD DRUG CASE SENTENCE
December7, 2001

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

Capitol Hill Community residents are applauding a maximum sentence given to a man they claimed was a chronic drug dealer who negatively affected their quality of life for the last several years.

Kenneth Marion (DOB: 3-20-54) earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years of mandatory parole today in Denver District Court.

Mark Nachtigal a member of the local neighborhood group The Unsinkables, testified at today's sentencing hearing that Marion and street dealers had made life in the 1200 to 1300 block of Pearl Street nearly unbearable with their activities.

Marion had four prior felony convictions. "This case is an excellent example of the way the criminal justice system, using both Denver Drug Court and regular District Court, can respond to community concerns about drug use with appropriate sanctions. While in some cases treatment and supervised probation is appropriate, this case warranted substantial prison time," explained Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr.

The Capitol Hill Community Justice Council, which is a coalition of residents, business owners and other community stakeholders, has made drug-crime reduction a top priority. The arrest, prosecution and conviction of Marion involved a coordinated approach among neighborhood residents, neighborhood Denver police officers, and Community Prosecutor Aaron Suazo from the Denver DA's Office Drug Unit.

*The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo. RPC 3.6