Sunderland Honored; Annual Dinner a Success
More than 100 people gathered to honor Father Jim Sunderland's contributions to abolition in Colorado at a dinner on October 7, 1999. The event, hosted by CADP, paid tribute to Father Jim's tireless efforts on behalf of those facing the death penalty and those battling to save their clients from the State's killing machine.
Vicki Mandell-King, president of the CADP Board of Directors, introduced both Father Jim and David Wymore, the evening's keynote speaker. Wymore, a chief trial deputy with the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, is recognized nationally for his consistently- successful defenses in capital cases. A long- time supporter of Father Jim, Wymore recounted trials in which Father Jim's mere presence in the courtroom prompted the prosecution to demand his removal. Maybe, as Wymore suggested, they were uncomfortable arguing for death in the presence of someone who had given his life to foregiveness, mercy and compassion, instead of vengeance, hatred and cruelty. Other messages honoring Father Jim included thanks form a man who had been spared the death penalty and remembered Father Jim's support and comfort during his trial.
Father Jim's acceptance speech was touching and modest to a fault. The plaque presented to him included a quote from the Book of Micah: "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and walk humbly with your God." Through his devotion and hard work, Father Jim has done all three, with good humor and with grace.
Generous contributions from Pat Ridley and Sara Seibert, Greg Robinson, Fred and Patty Winocur, Saskia Jordan and Haddon, Morgan and Foreman made the evening possible. Hours of hard work from committee members J.D. MacFarland, Nick Saia, John Emelin and Jim Joy made the dinner a complete success.
-- By Ann Roan
Coloradans Against the Death Penalty Newsletter -- Spring 2000
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