Ken Peasley, who earned a reputation for greatness at the Pima County Attorney's Office before leaving in disgrace, died Wednesday after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Peasley, 64, died at home surrounded by family, said his wife of 28 years, Nancy.
Peasley, a two-time prosecutor of the year, was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. It went into remission, but he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last October that required surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
"Through all of the difficult times this past year, he never lost his sense of humor or his desire to live life to the fullest," Nancy Peasley wrote in an email to the Arizona Daily Star.
Defense attorney Brick Storts, who battled Peasley in the courtroom and later worked side-by-side with him, said he "was probably one of the most brilliant lawyers I ever had the privilege to work with."
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Peasley grew up in Tucson and attended the University of Arizona. He started working for the county as an assistant public defender in 1974, but was soon recruited by the Pima County Attorney's Office.
He tried more than 225 felony cases over his 20-plus years as a prosecutor, putting dozens of people on Arizona's death row.
Peasley retired in 2003, shortly after the State Bar of Arizona recommended he be disbarred for eliciting false testimony in a high-profile murder case - actions he attributed to over-work and health issues.
After being disbarred in May 2004, he obtained a contract with the county as a paralegal and worked for several attorneys as a legal assistant, doing everything a lawyer does except presenting cases to a jury.
Attorney Richard Gonzales met Peasley 40 years ago in a UA political science class. They worked together many times - at the Public Defender's Office, County Attorney's Office and later, in private practice, on personal-injury cases.
"There was nothing Ken did that wasn't over the top," Gonzales said. "He attacked everything he did with every fiber of energy he had in him."
County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said Peasley amazed him by returning to work days after undergoing two separate brain surgeries. "He loved what he did with his whole heart," Dupnik said.
Gonzales said it saddens him to think so many will remember Peasley for being disbarred when he was a two-time prosecutor of the year. Deputy County Attorney Rick Unklesbay agreed.
It was "quite magical" to watch Peasley in front of a jury, Unklesbay said. "He did not give lofty, philosophical arguments. He just connected to jurors on their level. He weaved a story in front of them and they just hung on his words."
County Attorney Barbara LaWall also remembers Peasley for his ability to persuade a jury and his quick mind. His salty language helped foster the perception he was gruff, but he's the one who put together the office's softball team, LaWall said.
In addition to his wife, Peasley is survived by his daughter, Allison, 29, and twin sons, Kevin and Kyle, 22. Services will be Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at kimsmith@azstarnet.com or 573-4241.
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