Andy Westbay and Scott Hawrysiak
Some people say Gary Flakes deserves a second chance.
When he was 16 years old, Flakes and his friend gunned down two teen-age boys who were walking home at night on Valentine’s Day 1997.
The victims — Andy Westbay, 13, and Scott Hawrysiak, 15 — were shot with a 12-guage shotgun.
Flakes was tried as an adult and served more than 12 years in prison. His co-conspirator, Jeron Grant, then 17, also served time behind bars.
But neither was convicted of pulling the trigger. Instead, they were convicted in separate trials as accessories to murder.
Though authorities alleged, based on confessions and witness testimony, that Grant was the trigger man, neither Grant nor Flakes has owned up to it.
Now, Flakes, who says he’s a reformed man, is running for City Council District 4.
His candidacy has opened old wounds for the victims’ families and outraged people in the community.
Among them is City Council President Scott Hente.
“I listened (Wednesday) to a former state representative’s beliefs that this guy should be given a second chance,” Hente said, referring to former state Rep. Dennis Apuan.
“He didn’t give those two kids a second chance back in 1997, did he?”
citizens can express their view by voting against Flakes
but council members who get “contributions” from HBA ,
have no moral stand.
I am outraged that this adjudicated dead beat has not resigned his position..
Interesting comment Nick. A felon who was part of a shotgun slaying of two children has more standing than a retired USAF Colonel with 150 combat missions, a long time business person and elected/re-elected official? Interesting way of thinking dude.
Stan so what you call an adjudicated dead beat should make way for a convicted felon? Silly
Scott and Andy were killed in COLD BLOOD. Killed just to be killed by two teens who apparently had nothing else to do except shoot two innocent young boys with a Twelve-Gauge Shotgun. I don’t care who pulled the trigger they were both there they were both willing participants. I wish I still lived in Colorado Springs I would spend every waking minute making sure he doesn’t even get a platform let alone elected. The judge in the case retired because he said that the accessory convictions were proof that the justice system is broken.
150 combat missions, then Hente has also been involved in killing children.
What an ignorant statement from an obviously uneducated idiot liberal Ron. Get a life
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Just saying.
Please, voters of the district Mr. Flakes is running in, do not vote this man onto city council. Please look to other candidates to represent you on city council.
The only reason this is a story is because the Gazette keeps stirring it up. Once Flakes is challenged on his leadership qualities, he will fall away to where he belongs. His handlers should be ashamed to even put this issue before the citizens of this community. Shows how much they really care about the community.
Much ado about nothing; Running is one thing, winning is quite another. Any opponent of Flakes’ (and there should be many) should be licking their chops at the chance to discredit this murderer/felon during the campaign and show he is not qualified for office.