"I believe we have a dishonest judge in our midst who does not believe in victim's rights"

Frequent public meeting commenter and community advocate Kent Sawatsky called Judge Watson out today during public comment at the afternoon session of the Humboldt Board of Supervisors.

"I believe we have a dishonest judge in our midst who does not believe in victim's rights."

Mr. Sawatsky was referring to the Elmy Workman case. I wrote about why Judge Watson flubbed  earlier this week, right after sentencing.There is extensive coverage of this case on this blog. This was not a high profile case. The media ran one press release from the DA's office after a successful jury verdict. There were two plea deals rejected by Judge Feeney and Judge Reinholtsen. Both, which I covered in detail.

Mr. Sawatsky opened his remarks with, "This issue is grave in nature." He compared Allison Jackson, who represented the victim pro bono to an Archangel.

"This is what happens when the legal justice goes wrong 100%."

Mr. Sawatsky went on to say maybe Judge Watson made a backroom deal because he hangs out socially with  the defense attorney Neal Sanders. He invited Judge Watson to take three minutes and explain his decision to the public.

He asked the Board of Supervisors to "turn their backs" on Judge Watson in a social situation. "My understanding is Paul Gallegos wants that robe" referring to Judge Watson stepping down in 2016. This plea deal was agreed to originally under Paul's administration and then the sentence was the same. Mr. Sawatsky alluded again to a backroom deal " maybe they smoke pot together, I'm not saying the Judge does..."

The Board of Supervisors have no jurisdiction over the Courts or the Judges. They do over Probation and the District Attorney's office and funds they received.

Mr. Sawatsky and the public deserve answers from Judge Watson, the Probation department for their amended probation reports and all involved.

Unlike Paul, when Mr. Sawatsky called Maggie she responded promptly.