Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Hecht took a voluntary leave of absence Friday after pleading not guilty to two criminal charges brought against him by the state Attorney General’s Office.
Speaking briefly to reporters after his arraignment at the County-City Building in downtown Tacoma, Hecht said, “I’m looking forward to being vindicated. I think a lot of facts have yet to come.”
They were his first public statements addressing the allegations against him since he was charged last month with one felony count of harassment and one misdemeanor count of patronizing a prostitute. He previously let his attorney, Wayne Fricke of Tacoma, speak for him.
Assistant attorney general John Hillman alleged in charging papers filed Feb. 27 that Hecht threatened to kill a 24-year-old man in downtown Tacoma on Aug. 30 and paid a 20-year-old man for sex on numerous occasions this year and last.
Local officials requested King County Judge James Cayce to hear the case instead of a Pierce County judge to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Cayce accepted not guilty pleas on Hecht’s behalf at a hearing attended by four local news outlets and several of Hecht’s friends and relatives. Tacoma police detective Bradley Graham, who led the investigation of Hecht, was among those who attended the hearing.
Cayce released Hecht, 58, on his personal recognizance after the arraignment.
Hillman did not object to that but asked Cayce to require Hecht to submit to an “administrative booking” at the Pierce County Jail.
Most criminal defendants not arrested by law enforcement officers but summoned to court by prosecutors must report to jail to be fingerprinted and photographed, even if they later are released on personal recognizance, the assistant attorney general said.
“It’s something that every defendant goes through in Pierce County, and I don’t think this defendant should be treated any differently,” Hillman said.
Fricke argued that, while routine, administrative booking was not required by law and urged Cayce not to require it of Hecht.
“I don’t see a need to have it done in this case, given Mr. Hecht’s connection to the community and his public standing in this case, having run for election here in the last year, and his family here by his side,” Fricke said.
Cayce sided with Fricke.
“I don’t see the need for it,” the judge said. “Routine is not a good reason.”
Hecht and his supporters then left the courtroom.
Less than an hour later, Pierce County government issued a news release from Superior Court Presiding Judge Bryan Chushcoff and Hecht himself announcing the change in Hecht’s work status.
“Judge Hecht recognizes that his position as a Superior Court judge is one that requires the high- est degree of trust and responsibility to preside over court business and to make important decisions in our community,” the release says. “He also recognizes that until the criminal charges against him have been resolved, the confidence of the public in Superior Court may be impaired.”
Hecht will remain on leave “until such time as these matters may be resolved,” the release says. He will receive pay and benefits while on leave. He is scheduled to make about $148,000 this year.
County voters elected Hecht in August 2008, and he was sworn into office on Jan. 12, the day after The News Tribune reported that police were investigating allegations that he’d bought sex from Joseph John Hesketh IV several years ago and threatened to kill him Aug. 30.
The alleged threat led to the harassment charge, according to court records.
Another young man, Joseph Pfeiffer, also told police and The News Tribune that he’d exchanged money for sex with Hecht in 2008 and 2009. Those allegations led to the patronizing a prostitute charge, the records state.
Hecht first appeared on the bench Feb. 2, but his docket has been light because Pierce County prosecutors declined to bring any criminal cases before him. He did hear some civil matters and “will remain responsible to com- plete matters that he has already heard,” the news release issued Friday states.
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644
blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime
Upcoming court dates
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Hecht, charged with two crimes, is next to appear in court April 23 for a pretrial hearing. His trial is tentatively scheduled for June 9.
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