Earlier than a Vancouver man was sentenced Monday to 8½ years in jail, two Clark County judges spoke from the opposite facet of the bench, with out their conventional black robes, the place they took on an uncommon function — that of crime victims.
Clark County Superior Courtroom Choose David Gregerson instructed the Cowlitz County decide who presided over the intimidation case that it was his first time as a sufferer in a case.
He learn from a replica of the letter he acquired in Might at his chambers, which was addressed from James R. Burnett, an inmate on the Clark County Jail. The letter included a graphic account of how Burnett stated he’d kill Gregerson and every of his members of the family. It additionally famous Burnett’s contacts outdoors of the jail, together with members of outlaw motorbike golf equipment, who would hurt the decide if he couldn’t.
Gregerson stated whereas he believed the chance of Burnett finishing up his risk was low, he couldn’t ignore it. A pal supplied to lend Gregerson his shotgun, he stated, and he accepted. He took the gun to a spread and practiced taking pictures it, he stated, and mentally ready himself for the opportunity of utilizing it to defend his residence.
“I do not appreciate being put into a position to make that kind of decision,” Gregerson stated. “I had never come close to anything like that in my nearly 20 years of practice as a lawyer and 12 years on the bench.”
Burnett, 41, pleaded responsible March 4 in Clark County Superior Courtroom to 1 rely of intimidating a decide. Deputy Prosecutor Nicole Meyer stated Monday that she agreed as part of Burnett’s plea deal to not file a second rely and to permit him to plead responsible to the one cost with each Gregerson and Clark County Superior Courtroom Choose Suzan Clark because the victims. In trade, the deal meant Burnett would conform to a jail sentence of 102 months.
Gregerson stated Burnett threatened him concurrently as a consultant of the justice system and as a person.
“Though this is a crime against a judicial officer, it is important to remember that there is a real person behind the black robe,” Gregerson stated. “One who breathes and bleeds and has family and children.”
Clark spoke to Burnett for a lot of her assertion, telling him he must get assist as an alternative of dwelling “a life sentence five to six years at a time.”
“You need to do something with your life. There’s more to life than being institutionalized,” she stated. “I hope you finally get the message this time because this is no way to live your life.”
She famous Burnett’s historical past of 5 earlier convictions in Thurston County for intimidating a decide. She instructed him he wants to vary his habits earlier than he crosses the mistaken individual.
“I own a 12-gauge shotgun,” Clark stated. “And I know how to use it.”
Burnett declined to talk on the listening to. His protection lawyer, Ruth Rivas, stated he’s spent the majority of his grownup life in jail, and he suffers from psychological sickness and anger administration issues, together with drug habit. She stated she is aware of Burnett needs he had a special life, however he lacks the talents to beat the challenges he’s confronted.
“I think prison is the only place he feels safe and at home,” Rivas stated.
Burnett additionally pleaded responsible in a separate case to flee from group custody. The Cowlitz County decide sentenced him to 57 months in that case, to run concurrent with the intimidation case.