Former Arapahoe District Attorney Dies

DENVER (CBS4) - Jim Peters, the Arapahoe County district attorney who put Chuck E. Cheese killer Nathan Dunlap on death row, died Wednesday following a seven-month battle with cancer.

Peters was 62.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you that Dad's courageous battle with cancer ended on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 11:06 p.m.," said his son Jeff Peters. "Dad has fought bravely and valiantly for the last 6-plus months and it was an honor to be by his side every step of the way. Our hearts are very full at this time and we miss Dad dearly."

Peters was a native Coloradan who attended the University of Colorado School of Law. Following law school he joined the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office and prosecuted a wide range of cases. He was first elected district attorney in 1996 and was re-elected in 2000.

Peters will be remembered for prosecuting Nathan Dunlap, who murdered four people at an Aurora Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in 1993. Peters obtained a death penalty conviction on Dunlap in 1996. Dunlap remains alive on death row.

"For Jim that case was an important case, maybe his career case," said former Gov. Bill Ritter, who served on boards and councils with Peters and said the two became good friends.

"Fundamentally at his core he was just a serious prosecutor," Ritter said.

Ritter called Peters a great public servant who was devoted to his son and his wife.

Peters is survived by his wife Sandra and his son Jeff.