By Richard Eadie

When Richard Jones became a King County Superior Court judge in 1994, he had an impressive background and solid preparation for the bench. But what could prepare him to judge the largest mass murderer in the history of the country, with intense local, national and even international media scrutiny?

Jones’ father was a carpenter in Chicago, who came west to escape racial discrimination. Jones’ father, who had some history in the Negro Baseball Leagues, held education as the foremost importance for his children. “Get all you can in your head,” he told Richard. “No one can ever take that away from you.” Jones earned a degree in Public Affairs from Seattle University, then a law degree from the University of Washington.

Jones clerked at the U.S. Attorney’s office and received glowing recommendations. He interviewed for a job with a large law firm and was invited for a final interview--a lunch meeting with the hiring partner. Confident of an exciting beginning to his career, when he arrived, Jones immediately sensed that something was wrong. He asked the lawyer to get right to the point. The partners of the firm, he was told, felt that their clients were not quite ready for a black lawyer.

Today Judge Jones sits on the Board of Regents of Seattle University, and has served on many UW Law School committees, including that which selected the current Dean, Joe Knight. Jones teaches high school programs across the state. He was Dean of the Washington State Judicial College, is on the faculty of the National Judicial College, and lectures extensively for various bar associations. Perhaps most symbolic of his commitment to educational opportunity for African-American students is his involvement in programs honoring Thurgood Marshall and Brown v. Board of Education.

The assignment of the Gary Ridgway trial did not come as a complete surprise to Judge Jones. Though he never sought it, had thought about what he would do if the assignment came to him. The pressure on the judge obviously would be intense--the responsibility enormous. Judge Jones explained his philosophy: “We don’t pick and choose our cases; we take responsibility for the case unless there is a personal conflict of interest-- that’s what we are elected to do.”

In addition to the complex case management and volume of motions, the judge had to ensure that there was a courtroom designed to accommodate the security needs for Ridgway and the victim families. The judge was also responsible for addressing the many requests and needs of the media. Decisions had to be made on many levels all the way down to specific wiring requirements and satellite feeds.

It was Judge Jones’ responsibility to coordinate all of these competing demands. “Air traffic controller” is how he described his role. He is quick to point out that he did not do this alone-- that his personal staff and that of the court was essential to the successful planning that took place. He particularly pointed out the contributions of Paul Sherfey, the court’s Chief Administrative Officer, whom he refers to as a “silent hero.”

Tony Savage, the head of the defense team, said that he was impressed with Judge Jones’ organization and even-handedness. Brian McDonald, of the Prosecution team, said Judge Jones was always prepared for the many lengthy motions, thoughtful about his rulings, and treated all parties with consistent professional courtesy.

Judge Harry J. McCarthy is now on the Superior Court colleague, but he has known Jones since both were in the U.S. Attorney’s Office about 30 years ago. His description of the way his friend presided at the Ridgway case: “His work was classic Judge Jones -- well prepared, efficient, scrupulously fair to everyone, and extremely sensitive to the extraordinary suffering friends and families have endured.”

Judge Jones says the case taught him to be more reflective and deepened his compassion for victims. He came to recognize the need that the families of victims, and our community had for resolution of this case. After the sentencing, he received letters from family members thanking him for giving them some degree of peace.

Jones also reflected on his increased awareness that every word uttered by the judge is heard, not only by the person to whom it is addressed, but by everyone in the courtroom -- and in this case every word was scrutinized by the media. “Never take for granted the impact of words” he said, “and never underestimate the importance of the manner by which you deliver the message.”

Judge Jones’ compassion for the victims and focus on them as individuals were hallmarks of the sentencing hearing. Where did that poise, that depth of understanding come from? Perhaps from the struggles of his mother and father and his own experience in being denied a job because of his race. Perhaps it was from the lessons of Brown v. Board of Education and his own efforts to make equal education a reality for all. n