Judge’s Few Words Speak Volumes Letter Of The Week: From March 1, 1998

I was in Superior Court recently and witnessed the sentencing of a gentle youth who is being held responsible for the tragic shooting death of his young friend.

Half of the courtroom was filled with the weeping loved ones of the young woman. The other half was filled with the anguished loved ones of a remorseful adolescent leaving soon for a long prison sentence.

I feel that the eloquent words spoken by Judge Murphy as he faced the Solomon-like task of rendering justice in the sentencing of a child should be read by your wide readership. To paraphrase:

“I wish I could bottle up the grief that is in this courtroom. It is a grief for two children. I would pour it out over all the young people of Spokane so that they could feel this tragedy. They would understand this pain and never pick up a gun, never point a gun at people, and never pull the trigger.” Linda L. Woods jail education, Spokane School District 81

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