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Saturday, June 19, 2010
last updated: Monday, June 28, 9:17pm
The fourth Randy Guzek trial
Letter to the Editor
Bend Bulletin
Published: June 28, 2010
For the past two months, I lived and worked in Bend to lead the team that
prosecuted Randy Lee Guzek for the murders of Rod and Lois Houser.
To the people of Deschutes County and most particularly to the many
current and retired law enforcement officers and citizens who stepped
forward for the fourth time to ensure that justice was done: You have my
deep gratitude. The case took the efforts of many members of the
Deschutes County District Attorney's Office, especially co-prosecutor
Darryl Nakahira and office manager Patty Hendrix. Deschutes County is
fortunate to have such dedicated people who will put their own lives aside
to serve the public.
All our efforts to resolve the case without subjecting the victims' family
and others to yet another trial were fruitless. One person had the ability
to stop these trials: the killer himself. He gambled that a jury would not
sentence him to death a fourth time, despite his steadfast refusal to admit
what was proved 23 years ago — his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Another 12 jurors deserve the respect and admiration of their community
for making a long and difficult journey to the death penalty and justice. As
writer Stephen King says, “It's the tale, not he who tells it.”
It is impossible to tell what the appellate courts will do with the case, but
everyone who put their heart and soul into bringing justice for the
Housers and your community deserves all our thanks.
Joshua Marquis
Special Prosecutor
District Attorney
Astoria
link to published letter in Bend Bulletin
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erin Golden of the Bend Bulletin; Kelsey Watts of KTVZ-TV NewsChannel
21 (Bend); Steve Duin, columnist for the Oregonian; and Steven Dubois of
the Associated Press covered the trial.
Click here for links to coverage of the verdict and the trial.
last updated: Monday, June 28, 9:17pm
The fourth Randy Guzek trial
Letter to the Editor
Bend Bulletin
Published: June 28, 2010
For the past two months, I lived and worked in Bend to lead the team that
prosecuted Randy Lee Guzek for the murders of Rod and Lois Houser.
To the people of Deschutes County and most particularly to the many
current and retired law enforcement officers and citizens who stepped
forward for the fourth time to ensure that justice was done: You have my
deep gratitude. The case took the efforts of many members of the
Deschutes County District Attorney's Office, especially co-prosecutor
Darryl Nakahira and office manager Patty Hendrix. Deschutes County is
fortunate to have such dedicated people who will put their own lives aside
to serve the public.
All our efforts to resolve the case without subjecting the victims' family
and others to yet another trial were fruitless. One person had the ability
to stop these trials: the killer himself. He gambled that a jury would not
sentence him to death a fourth time, despite his steadfast refusal to admit
what was proved 23 years ago — his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Another 12 jurors deserve the respect and admiration of their community
for making a long and difficult journey to the death penalty and justice. As
writer Stephen King says, “It's the tale, not he who tells it.”
It is impossible to tell what the appellate courts will do with the case, but
everyone who put their heart and soul into bringing justice for the
Housers and your community deserves all our thanks.
Joshua Marquis
Special Prosecutor
District Attorney
Astoria
link to published letter in Bend Bulletin
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erin Golden of the Bend Bulletin; Kelsey Watts of KTVZ-TV NewsChannel
21 (Bend); Steve Duin, columnist for the Oregonian; and Steven Dubois of
the Associated Press covered the trial.
Click here for links to coverage of the verdict and the trial.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
July 4th
Considering she is 234 years old today and accounting for all the wrinkles
and scars, the United States of America is looking pretty good for her age.
On the wall of my office I have a framed copy of what is called the
"Gadsden flag," one of the original flags of the American Republic. It
displays a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow field with the words "Don't Tread
on Me" below the snake. The flag's history -- like all American history -- is
fascinating and complex.
Over the last two centuries-plus, different groups have used the Gadsden
flag; at the moment the Tea Party Movement has tried to appropriate it.
Well, like so many icons and concepts of American liberty and freedom, it
doesn't belong to them. It belongs to us, like the other tenets of the
American Constitution which expresses reserves in the 9th Amendment --
that rights not otherwise enumerated to the government belong to . . .
the people.
I must confess that I get profoundly depressed by the general lack of
knowledge about the Constitution, American history, and the reason for
the symbolism that is laced through our popular culture -- the reciting of
the Pledge of Allegiance at public meetings or the singing of the National
Anthem at sporting events. Because, like words, symbols matter. A lot.
. . . read the rest and add your comments
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sunday, July 4, 2010
GUEST VIEWPOINT:
In advocating for inmates, let’s not forget about the
crime
By Joshua Marquis
Appeared in print: Sunday, Jul 4, 2010
The family members of criminals often pay a greater price than the people
who molested, stole, assaulted or even murdered. They don’t deserve to
be punished, but it is a classic line that the judge or prosecutor should go
easier on the criminal because of how it might affect their family.
Bob Welch’s June 27 article (“Hard time”) paints Citizens United for
Rehabilitation of Errants as a group of isolated outcasts with little
sympathy and less support.
What strikes me is the plethora of groups like CURE. They include the
extremely well-funded Partnership for Safety and Justice, Families Against
Mandatory Minimums, Better People (which launched state Sen. Chip
Shields’ political career as an advocate for inmates and their families), and
Sponsors Inc. of Eugene, which has been around a very long time.
I don’t begrudge these organizations, but to claim that they are shivering
on a metaphorical ice floe is not accurate. And, unlike the few victims’
support groups — including Crime Victims United — these groups are well-
funded by deep pockets such as George Soro’s Open Society Institute. By
contrast, the victims’ groups operate on a wing and a prayer.
. . . read the rest and add your comments
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
July 4th
Considering she is 234 years old today and accounting for all the wrinkles
and scars, the United States of America is looking pretty good for her age.
On the wall of my office I have a framed copy of what is called the
"Gadsden flag," one of the original flags of the American Republic. It
displays a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow field with the words "Don't Tread
on Me" below the snake. The flag's history -- like all American history -- is
fascinating and complex.
Over the last two centuries-plus, different groups have used the Gadsden
flag; at the moment the Tea Party Movement has tried to appropriate it.
Well, like so many icons and concepts of American liberty and freedom, it
doesn't belong to them. It belongs to us, like the other tenets of the
American Constitution which expresses reserves in the 9th Amendment --
that rights not otherwise enumerated to the government belong to . . .
the people.
I must confess that I get profoundly depressed by the general lack of
knowledge about the Constitution, American history, and the reason for
the symbolism that is laced through our popular culture -- the reciting of
the Pledge of Allegiance at public meetings or the singing of the National
Anthem at sporting events. Because, like words, symbols matter. A lot.
. . . read the rest and add your comments
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sunday, July 4, 2010
GUEST VIEWPOINT:
In advocating for inmates, let’s not forget about the
crime
By Joshua Marquis
Appeared in print: Sunday, Jul 4, 2010
The family members of criminals often pay a greater price than the people
who molested, stole, assaulted or even murdered. They don’t deserve to
be punished, but it is a classic line that the judge or prosecutor should go
easier on the criminal because of how it might affect their family.
Bob Welch’s June 27 article (“Hard time”) paints Citizens United for
Rehabilitation of Errants as a group of isolated outcasts with little
sympathy and less support.
What strikes me is the plethora of groups like CURE. They include the
extremely well-funded Partnership for Safety and Justice, Families Against
Mandatory Minimums, Better People (which launched state Sen. Chip
Shields’ political career as an advocate for inmates and their families), and
Sponsors Inc. of Eugene, which has been around a very long time.
I don’t begrudge these organizations, but to claim that they are shivering
on a metaphorical ice floe is not accurate. And, unlike the few victims’
support groups — including Crime Victims United — these groups are well-
funded by deep pockets such as George Soro’s Open Society Institute. By
contrast, the victims’ groups operate on a wing and a prayer.
. . . read the rest and add your comments
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Friday, July 16, 2010
NDAA Summer Meeting, Napa, CA
The National District Attorneys Association summer conference in Napa,
California featured a great speech by former Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor, who told us that the only job she could get as a
Stanford Law grad back in the day was at the DA's Office in San Mateo.
I was stunned to receive the "Home Run Hitters Award" in recognition for
my work on the Houser (Guzek) case. (I think we should start calling the
cases by the names of the VICTIMS not the killers.) That's a customized
genuine Louisville slugger bat with my name engraved on it.
with Chris Chiles, NDAA President and DA of Cabell County (Huntington), WV
The award is the brainchild of Fayette Commonwealth (Lexington, KY) DA
Ray Larson and is given at no regular interval. As co-chair of NDAA's Media
Committee I have advocated that it be given -- as it almost always is -- to
non-elected working prosecutors, so I was very surprised and moved.
comments here
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NDAA Summer Meeting, Napa, CA
The National District Attorneys Association summer conference in Napa,
California featured a great speech by former Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor, who told us that the only job she could get as a
Stanford Law grad back in the day was at the DA's Office in San Mateo.
I was stunned to receive the "Home Run Hitters Award" in recognition for
my work on the Houser (Guzek) case. (I think we should start calling the
cases by the names of the VICTIMS not the killers.) That's a customized
genuine Louisville slugger bat with my name engraved on it.
with Chris Chiles, NDAA President and DA of Cabell County (Huntington), WV
The award is the brainchild of Fayette Commonwealth (Lexington, KY) DA
Ray Larson and is given at no regular interval. As co-chair of NDAA's Media
Committee I have advocated that it be given -- as it almost always is -- to
non-elected working prosecutors, so I was very surprised and moved.
comments here
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
