Former State Patrolman Denies Coercing Couple Troubled Couple Volunteered To Visit Anti-Abortion Center, Defendant Says

The former Washington State Patrol officer accused of coercing a young couple into anti-abortion counseling told jurors Monday he was merely trying to help two youths he considered emotionally unstable.

Lane Jackstadt flatly denied that he used strong-arm tactics to get Justin Cooper, 20, and Deanna Thomas, 18, to follow him to a Christian counseling center instead of making their appointment at an abortion clinic. He testified he was concerned for the couple’s welfare after stopping them for speeding on Interstate 90 last July 27.

“Justin was striking the steering wheel and yelling at the young female. It was clear he was angry,” Jackstadt said. “(Deanna) had bloodshot eyes … and I could tell she had been crying.”

Jackstadt, 34, charged with two counts of unlawful imprisonment and two counts of official misconduct, is on trial in King County Superior Court. He is accused of making Thomas and Cooper follow him to the center.

They were on their way to a Planned Parenthood clinic when they were stopped. In their testimony, both said Jackstadt intimidated and coerced them into making the drive to Special Delivery, a counseling service associated with the Overlake Christian Church in Woodinville.

Jackstadt said he started to issue Cooper a pair of citations - traveling 75 mph in a 55 mph zone and driving with an expired license - when he noticed that Cooper was shouting obscenities and pounding both fists on the steering wheel. Jackstadt said he worried that Cooper’s anger could possibly endanger Thomas.

“I told him that getting a ticket wasn’t the end of the world,” Jackstadt said. “He said, ‘It may not be the end of the world to you but it’s the end of the world to us.’ “

Cooper grew even more upset, saying it was the last possible day for Thomas to get an abortion, Jackstadt testified.

“Justin started to get worked up again and saying that they were going to have to get an illegal abortion,” Jackstadt testified. “I was shocked to hear this.”

Jackstadt said he wanted to make sure the couple had explored all of their options and was working to calm them. It was during their dialogue, Jackstadt testified, that he told them about his church and the various services it offers.

“I was concerned for these kids,” he said.

The couple was “very appreciative” once Jackstadt reduced the fine on the speeding ticket and Thomas even asked for his thoughts on abortion, Jackstadt testified.

Jackstadt said he suggested they get counseling and offered to call the Woodinville facility and drive ahead of them. He said the couple followed of their own volition. He denied Cooper’s contention that Jackstadt held on to Cooper’s expired license as leverage.

Nellie Harris, director of Special Delivery, testified earlier Monday that it is not unusual for a police officer to refer people to the ministry.

Harris said Cooper and Thomas listened politely to her descriptions about the abortion process, then left the center without any incidents.

However, Harris said she made a mistake when she told them, “I’ll be praying that you get stopped again so this child can have a life.”

The couple arrived two hours late for their Planned Parenthood appointment after leaving Special Delivery. Thomas, who was 11 weeks pregnant, had an abortion the next day.

Sgt. Richard Holman, a 23-year State Patrol veteran and Jackstadt’s former supervisor, testified he knew of no regulations that would keep a trooper from discussing his views on abortion or religion.