With Chief Deputy District Attorney Sean May being murdered this week in the backyard of his Denver home, it is important that the community know something about Sean and the men and women that he worked with at the district attorney’s office for Adams and Broomfield counties.
Sean May was a gifted attorney who graduated from Stanford and then went to the University of Virginia Law School. These credentials enabled Sean to start his legal career with a prestigious downtown law firm. However, Sean left the financial rewards of private practice for a career in public service.
With Sean May, the public was well-served over the last seven years. Sean was a tremendous prosecutor and was recently promoted to be the chief deputy for county court. In that role, Sean was responsible for the training and supervision of the new prosecutors in our office. The ethical and professional standards set by Sean will be reflected in the careers of these attorneys for the rest of their lives.
Before becoming a chief deputy, Sean had volunteered for our Child Victim Unit. There, Sean pursued justice for children who have been physically and/or sexually abused. Sean had a special gift for communicating with young children. Sean had hopes to put this gift to use with his first child, who is due next month.
Although Sean’s baby will never be able to meet and be held by his father, this child will know him through his mother, Corin, a strong and courageous woman who was formerly a prosecutor with our office as well.
Whoever murdered Sean May was able to take his life, but was not able to silence his voice. Sean’s voice will carry on through Corin and later through their child. When the courtrooms in Adams and Broomfield counties opened on Tuesday, his friends and colleagues from our DA’s office were there. You can hear them advocating for justice for victims.
If you listen carefully, you will hear Sean May’s voice as well.
Don Quick is district attorney for the 17th Judicial District of Colorado.
