Justice served, greatness on display in courtroom

On Oct. 12, 300 Pierce County citizens – I among them – responded to jury summons. We assembled, received an orientation and knew too well that we would spend a lot of time waiting. Boredom beyond belief.

Finally, I was one of 30 called. The prosecutor and defense attorney asked us questions to determine our suitability to serve. “It is better than my job” turned out to be a wrong answer. We were winnowed to 12 jurors and three alternates.

Judge Stanley Rumbaugh read the charges, which included rape, kidnapping and associated offenses. It was difficult for the victim to share her experience. To the defense attorney’s credit, he did not try to embarrass her. At one point she broke down, asked for a recess and the judge granted it. Not a fun time for anyone.

I remember some witnesses vividly.

One was a detective who carried a folder to the witness stand. He held it closely; when the judge asked for it, the detective challenged him with his eyes and body language. He turned it over when the judge ordered, “Give me that folder!”

Another was a nurse who examined the victim. She was the most confident and honest person I have experienced in years. She was firm in her testimony because she knew her truth, and it was absolute. It’s been a long time since I met anyone so resolute and assured.

After the judge gave us instructions, the written charges and elements of proof, we moved to the jury room. Establishing the relationship between the victim and the defendant was important. The defendant claimed they dated and had been intimate for years, while she said she only knew him from seeing him at the community mailbox. We believed her. The deliberations became much easier.

We read each charge and what it took to prove it. Extensive discussion followed, and we polled ourselves when there seemed to be a consensus. When an individual was not convinced “beyond a reasonable doubt,” we discussed until unanimity was reached.

We gave a lot of thought to the kidnapping charge. In the course of the crimes, the woman escaped from her living room and ran into the street. He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back into her home, hence the charge. As suggested by a juror, we moved to a “lesser included” offense that was easier to prove.

After we agreed on each charge, we completed the paperwork and reviewed it among ourselves. Although it seemed automatic, we voted every time, with a show of hands, that the offense occurred in Lakewood on July 4, 2014. We did not want the guilty verdicts thrown out by a jury administrative error.

Let me reflect on this experience. The jurors – who included a kite maker, Starbucks coffee taster, warehouseman and bus driver – were very serious about their responsibilities to the accused, the victim and the legal system. The judge, prosecutor and defense were true to their profession. Justice was served.

President Lyndon B. Johnson said, “We need leaders to match the greatness of our people.” That greatness was present in that courtroom in that trial.

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 7:53 PM with the headline "Justice served, greatness on display in courtroom."