Judge: ‘I respect your courage in doing what you did’

The “Add the 4 Words” sentencing hearing has finally wrapped up at nearly 5:45 p.m. Boise time. Judge Michael Oths thanked all those involved – the lawyers, the defendants, the clerks, the marshals, “everybody.” He said, “Everybody’s been respectful of one another today,” adding to titters, “which really is all you’re asking for in the first place. And so I appreciate that.”

He thanked the defendants for sharing their stories. “I respect your courage in doing what you did,” the judge said. “It does take some guts to stand up in civil disobedience and take the penalty, and I respect that.” You can read my full story here at spokesman.com.