Former prosecutor coming back to be district's no. 2 man

A longtime Colorado Springs prosecutor with loads of experience in high-profile cases will serve as the new district attorney's second-in-command, 4th Judicial District Attorney-elect Dan May said Tuesday.

Dan Zook worked in the office for 25 years before leaving for private practice in 2004.

"I want to find dedicated people who want to make a difference and lead by example. ... Dan Zook was an obvious choice," May said at a news conference Tuesday.

Zook, who was named the state's prosecutor of the year in 2004 by the Colorado District Attorneys Council, prosecuted about 50 homicide cases - including six death-penalty cases.

The highest profile cases Zook prosecuted were likely those of Lucas Salmon and George Woldt, who are serving life sentences for raping and murdering Colorado Springs college student Jacine Gielinski in 1997.

Gielinski's mother still talks to Zook, May said.

"When he takes a case, he makes them part of his family," May said. "But he's a tough person when he needs to be."

Zook immediately fills a hole in the district attorney's office, as no current prosecutors have tried a death-penalty case.

The death-penalty trial of Marco Lee, who is accused of killing Colorado Springs police officer Kenneth Jordan, is scheduled for April.

May said he hasn't decided whether Zook will work on the Lee case.

"When Dan came and asked if I wanted to be his assistant district attorney, I didn't hesitate," said Zook, 57.

One of the biggest challenges of the office in coming years is retaining quality, experienced prosecutors in times of severe budget limitations, he said.

"We want to have the best attorneys representing the state, not the criminals," Zook said. "That's what's necessary."

May, who beat incumbent John Newsome in the August primary election, takes over as district attorney Jan. 13.