Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2001
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2001 Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  400 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204
Feedback: http://cfapps.insidedenver.com/opinion/
Website: http://www.denver-rmn.com/
Author: Gary Lane

WHY ALL THE DELAYS IN THE ROMANOWSKI CASES?

Douglas County seems to be having a lot of trouble bringing the cases of 
State vs. Romanowski to trial and I am wondering why.

The prosecution is in its second year for a relatively straightforward drug 
case. Continuances have been granted for very good reasons: the defendant 
had a family emergency; the judge is too busy trying another case to hear 
pretrial motions. The latest continuance will delay Julie Romanowski's 
trial until Aug. 14.

Perhaps the 18th Judicial District has a shortage of judges, or perhaps the 
defendant is a popular local football pro who is politically 
well-connected. Yes, that was the pro and his wife schmoozing with a local 
Republican senator at the inaugural. Nobody wants to appear to be 
"persecuting" a sports hero and, after all, according to Sports 
Illustrated, he needed the amphetamines to keep up with some of his teammates.

Makes you wonder if there really are two systems of justice, one for the 
rich and one for the poor. I wonder if a Hispanic drug dealer could get a 
continuance in Douglas County for a family emergency?

Gary Lane

Parker
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