Im pretty sure that I did the right thing. I covered the arraignment today of an elderly, blind, possibly very ill, wheelchair-bound, former native corporation executive who is accused of felony theft. He was left to fend for himself in the courtroom by a family member who left before the start of the mans arraignment hearing. His attorney was in Sitka in the midst of a trial, so she participated in todays proceedings by teleconference. There were two CBJ assemblymembers and a former CCTHITA prez who attended the hearing. But I gathered that they werent there to really provide support for the defendant since I never saw the three men chat with him. Anyway, the hearing ended and everyone cleared out except the defendant. The in-court clerk and judge really couldnt move back from the front. They were stuck in place. As the second-to-last person out, I held the courtroom door open for the defendant. But it was least a 25-foot roll around a corner for him. And, obviously, he couldnt see where to go. Can you come to my voice? I think so, he says, moving very slowly. Aw, the heck with it. You mind if I push you out? No, of course not. A kind word of gratitude from the judge and I ease the defendant through the bent aisle of gallery chairs and over both thresholds of the courtrooms double doors. Following through with the reporters usual routine of being a dispassionate, objective observer versus acting as a decent human being? I guess there wasnt much thought in my mind at that moment.
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 03:51:59 +0000
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