Darol Biddle

DAROL BIDDLE
One of the best criminal defense attorneys to ever grace the courtrooms of Southern Colorado passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022. Born in Miller, South Dakota on June 10, 1937, to the union of Clifford Henry and Neva Biddle. Darol was the youngest of two siblings, Eugene and Wayne Biddle. Darol attended school in South Dakota.
Upon graduation from high school, Darol moved to Idaho where he trained stock horses for Charles O. Williamson, the author of Training and Breaking the Stock Horse. Darol then returned to South Dakota and enrolled in South Dakota State University. Prior to graduation, Darol enlisted in the United States Army. While stationed in West Germany, Darol’s father passed away leading Darol to return home to run the family farm. Darol continued his studies at SDSU (majoring in English) while finishing his service in the Reserves. Upon graduation from SDSU, Darol moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver School of Law. Darol chose DU over several other law schools that had accepted him because his brother, Wayne “Dusty” Biddle lived in Denver. He graduated first in his class. Upon graduation, Darol worked for an established Denver law firm. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a teaching position at Tulane University in New Orleans where he taught Constitutional Law.
Darol moved to Pueblo in 1968 working as an Assistant D.A. In 1970 he joined the newly established Colorado State Public Defender’s system serving Pueblo and Southern Colorado. Working with Joe Losavio and Randy Jorgenson, Darol was one of the first attorneys to establish the reputation of the Office of the Public Defender providing first-class representation for the indigent accused. In 1972 he left the Public Defender’s Office to establish a solo practice specializing in criminal defense. While in private practice, Rolli Rogers, Colorado’s first Public Defender, convinced Darol to establish the Public Defender’s office in La Junta which covered three Eastern Colorado Counties. Darol ran this office for the next couple of years while establishing his own private practice. Darol continued his practice with a focus on criminal defense and related appellate work until 2018.
Darol Biddle’s core sense of social Justice drew him to the practice of law. Combined with Darol’s unmatched preparation, he represented clients with the understanding that he would exhaust all avenues of appeal from any adverse trial result. As a consequence, Darol’s appellate work established law in several areas including the prosecution’s obligations for discovery, search and seizure, and sufficiency of evidence. Darol’s greatest sense of accomplishment came from successfully defending the rights of clients who were disproportionately burdened by shortfalls within the legal system.
Darol haunted the courthouses of Southern Colorado representing the famous, the infamous, the rich, and the poor. His sharp mind, incredible knowledge of the law, understanding of people and the human condition, and his low-key style made him one of the fiercest and most respected of advocates. He loved the outdoors and had a special lifelong passion for horses and dogs. Additionally, Darol held the club championship for Skeet shooting at the Pueblo Skeet and Trap Club for several years in the 1970s and 1980s. Between court appearances, Darol would more often than not be engaged in another of his greatest passions, the exploration of the written word.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Sondra Biddle and his second wife Carol Biddle. He leaves behind three sons, Clifford Biddle, Sean Biddle, Brendan Biddle (Audra Dagenais), three stepdaughters, Debbie Gorshe, Kristina Gorshe, Rebecka Ruhlander (Garrett Ruhlander), two grandsons, Riley Nagl (Gennifer Nagl), Tristan Dagenais-Biddle, four granddaughters, Mallory Morrell, Kelly Lichtenberg, Abigail Griffis, Audrey Griffis, and numerous great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 11:00 o’clock a.m. to 2:00 o’clock p.m. at the Pueblo Union Depot. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU by going to Action.ACLU.org or call 888-567-ACLU, or the Parkinson Research Foundation, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Joe and Jim Koncilja.
Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com