| Oregon State Bar Bulletin — JULY 2011 |
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Where’s the Evidence?
I take exception to Peter Appleton’s statement in Parting Thoughts column (“Thoughts on Jury Trials,” June 2011) when he said, “Judges may not be held in high regard by jurors, however, he or she is still the judge.” Where is the evidence of that?
I have presided over 100 jury trials in the last four years. After each trial, I take a few moments to answer questions from the jurors and give them some closure and thank them for their commitment to protect all of our right to a jury trial.
Unanimously, jurors have said how much respect they have for the judges they have encountered. How thankful they were for my professionalism, patience and efficiency in how I run the courtroom and their time.
I know many judges, and they are all I believe, held in high regard. If this is a reflection of Mr. Appleton’s personal feelings, he should say that and then explain where his evidence is.
Kenneth R. Walker,
Portland
Judge, Multnomah County Circuit Court
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