The Times recommends Charlie Wiggins
for state Supreme Court
State Supreme Court justices Richard
Sanders and James Johnson disappoint with their remarks that seem to
suggest African Americans have a predisposition for crime. Voters should
reject Justice Sanders' bid for another term.
October 25, 2010 — State Supreme Court justices Richard
Sanders and James Johnson inflamed racial tensions with their remarks
that African Americans are overrepresented in the state prison system
because they commit more crimes.
How disappointing these two legal minds were unable to offer more
thoughtful, nuanced views about racial disparities in the
criminal-justice system.
African Americans make up 4 percent of the state population and 20
percent of state prisoners. An impressive body of evidence links the
disproportionate numbers to drug-enforcement policies, poverty and
racial biases throughout society.
Sanders and Johnson have worked in the judicial system long enough to
be informed by these disparities and to know better. They missed by a
wide mark an opportunity to lead a broader and smarter discussion.
This page takes the unusual step of withdrawing its endorsement of
Sanders. The Seattle Times now supports lawyer
Charlie Wiggins, who was a close call
in our primary endorsement. We said then that Wiggins was fully
qualified to serve on the bench and be a strong voice pushing back
against government. At the time, Sanders' support for state
public-disclosure laws cinched his endorsement.
But Sanders' latest remarks fall upon a trash heap of cringe-worthy
conduct — the latest for ruling in a public-records case that could have
affected a case of his own. In 2008, he called U.S. attorney general
Michael Mukasey a "tyrant" to his face. Decades ago, Sanders dressed as
a Nazi as a Halloween prank.
Johnson has no challenger and thus is assured another term in next
month's election. That does not mean he should escape public censure, it
just means there is no one else to vote for.
Sanders's and Johnson's remarks stand out for the starkness of their
views after lengthy careers in the justice system. The most damaging
assessment that can be made is that the people who know the system best
were shocked and dismayed by the two justices' comments.
Kitsap County District Court Judge James Riehl, who was present when
the justices made their remarks, says his own 28 years as a judge has
provided him with an acute awareness of the barriers to equal treatment
in the legal system. Justice Debra Stephens told The Times that Johnson
used the phrases "you all" or "you people" when he talked about African
Americans and crimes, noting the unfortunate phrase may have made blacks
in the audience feel accused.
Bottom line, Sanders and Johnson were insensitive, uninformed and way
too casual about an important societal issue. Voters should reject
Sanders and vote for Wiggins.
|