A man convicted of being an accessory to murder in the 1997 shotgun slayings of two teen-age boys in Cheyenne Meadows is running for Colorado Springs City Council.

Gary Flakes, 32, on Wednesday announced his candidacy for council District 4. He said he’s running because he understands the needs of the community.

“As a young person, my actions devastated the community and brought grief to two families. The teenager who committed those acts made me the young leader I am today,” he said.

“Today I will use my life experiences, my knowledge, to make the lives of young people better and to help all of District 4 live up to its greatest potential.”

Flakes served 12 years and five months in prison for his involvement in the shooting deaths of Andy Westbay, 13, and Scott Hawrysiak, 15. The crime shocked the community and remains among the most notorious in the city’s history.

Westbay and Hawrysiak were gunned down on Valentine’s Day while walking home after playing video games at a friends’ house.

Based on confessions and witness testimony, authorities at trial alleged that Flakes, 16 at the time, and Jeron Grant, then 17, drove up behind the boys on Canoe Creek Drive and that Grant got out and shot them with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Neither Flakes nor Grant was convicted of pulling the trigger, which enraged the community. Instead, juries in separate trials convicted each of accessory to murder.

Since then, Flakes has said that he changed his life.

“I’m definitely out here changing my life and being positive,” Flakes told The Gazette last year. “I consider myself a living example.”

Flakes is the principal owner of Infinite Mind Consulting, which he said focuses on leadership development. On Wednesday, he said his qualifications to run for council were “organizing” and “coalition-building.” But he declined to go into specifics.

“I’m here to talk about my candidacy. I’m running for City Council, and that’s what I’m going to talk about,” he said.

More than 40 people, including about a dozen journalists, attended Flakes’ announcement at the Sand Creek Public Library. Outside, more than 30 people, some holding candles, gathered in support of the victims and to oppose his candidacy.

“I believe in second chances. I think he was given his chance by only having to serve 12 years in prison for what he did,” said Michelle Matos, who knew Scott Hawrysiak.

“For him to be doing something like this, he should know that it’s opening old wounds. The anniversary of the boys’ death is coming up next month, too. I don’t understand it.”

The Westbay family declined to comment, and the Hawrysiak family could not be reached.

A TV reporter who said he spoke to both families told Flakes that they said they’ve never heard an apology from him and prefer that he not run for office.

“What is your response to that?” the reporter asked.

“I have reached out through different restorative justices. I will reach out again if they say that they haven’t. I will take it upon myself to do that,” he said.

Whether Flakes can run for office remained in question Wednesday. City Clerk Sarah Johnson said the City Attorney’s Office is researching whether convicted felons can serve on council.

In 2001, The Gazette reported that a city ordinance excluding felons from seeking city office was repealed two months after it was passed.

The council repealed the ordinance after the Rev. Promise Lee, who was convicted of second-degree murder in the 1974 killing of a Fort Carson soldier, raised objections. At the time, Lee was considering running for office. Like Flakes, Lee was a teenager at the time of his crime.

“Unless the city clerk says something different tomorrow, or the city attorney says something different, Gary Flakes is a viable candidate,” said Rosemary Harris Lytle, who introduced Flakes at the news conference. Harris Lytle is past president of the local NAACP chapter.

Former state Rep. Dennis Apuan said at the announcement that he met Flakes through his work with the NAACP and that they worked together this summer registering voters.

“I believe in his leadership skills and his passion to make the world a better place. I’ve seen him work to empower communities of color especially,” he said.

Apuan called Flakes “intent,” “a good listener” and said he “relates well with people from all backgrounds.”

While Flakes’ council bid will “possibly” open old wounds for the victims’ families, Apuan said the judicial process was followed and that justice was served.

“Our past shapes who we are today, but it shouldn’t necessarily define who we are today and who we can become tomorrow,” he said. “I believe very strongly in the redeeming power of grace and transformation, and I believe that the man deserves a second chance.”

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ALSO RUNNING:

Retired Air Force veteran and police volunteer Dennis Moore announced his candidacy for District 4 last month, and Harrison School District 2 Board President Deborah Hendrix is expected to announce her candidacy next week.Wednesday was the first day for council candidates to take out nominating petitions, which must be returned by Feb. 6.—

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Gary Flakes, who was convicted of being an accessory to murder in the 1997 shotgun slayings of two teenage boys in Cheyenne Meadows, announces he is running for Colorado Springs City Council Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at the Sand Creek Library. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) Photo by

Gary Flakes hugs a supporter after announcing that he is running for Colorado Springs City Council Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at the Sand Creek Library. Flakes was convicted of being an accessory to murder in the 1997 shotgun slaying of Andy Westbay, 13, an Photo by

More than 30 protesters stand outside the Sand Creek Library Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, as Gary Flakes, who was convicted of being an accessory to murder in the 1997 shotgun slayings of Andy Westbay, 13, and Scott Hawrysiak, 15, announces he is running for Photo by