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Rape victim's threat to jump off courthouse roof
may derail case
November 4, 2010
By Jennifer Sullivan
Seattle Times staff reporter
A 21-year-old child-rape victim who was set to confront her
alleged attacker in a Seattle courtroom Thursday afternoon,
made her way onto the roof of the King County Courthouse
and spent about three hours threatening to jump before
she was led to safety.
Inmate was at hospital hours before
jumping from Seattle courthouse window
November 30, 2010
By Mike Carter and Jennifer Sullivan
Seattle Times staff reporters
A 29-year-old Auburn man who jumped
to his death from the 11th floor of the King County
Courthouse Tuesday morning had been at Harborview
Medical Center the night before because of deepening
depression,
according to his family.
Facility Dog
• Dog is a graduate from an accredited
assistance dog school.
• Handler is a working professional.
• Dog and handler pass a public access test
that certifies that they can safely provide
services in a public setting.
The Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACE)
research links childhood
abuse and neglect with
adult onset of chronic
disease, mental illness,
violence and being a
victim of violence.
CDC and DOJ
The Need for Trauma Sensitive
Courts
Accommodation applies to:
• Victim/witness under the age of 18
• Any age with intellectual disability
• Sexual offense victim/witness who
was under the age of 18 at time of
the offense
What type of animal?
• Therapy animal
• Facility dog
Animal must be “trained
and evaluated according
to industry standards.”
Industry standards for therapy
animals (Pet Partners ®)
• Animals include: birds, rabbits, pigs, llamas, alpacas,
equines, cats, dogs.
• Interaction must be mutually beneficial to human
and animal.
• Animal must be removed at first signs of stress.
Industry standards for therapy
animals (Pet Partners ®)
• Limited to 2 hours of work a day.
• Must be attached to volunteer owner by leash at
all times.
• Liability insurance invalid if above practices are
not followed.
Industry standards for facility dogs
(Assistance Dogs International)
• Dog does not solicit attention, visit, or annoy any
member of the general public.
• Dog does not disrupt the normal course of business.
• Dog does not vocalize unnecessarily, i.e. barking,
growling, whining.
Industry standards for facility dogs
(Assistance Dogs International)
• Dog must be technically and analytically trained for
maximum control and for the tasks he/she is asked to
perform.
• Dog is not required to be attached by leash to its
handler when working.
• Dog can assist witness in courtroom for 3 – 4 hours.
• Have dog and witness enter and
exit outside the presence of the jury.
• Have dog concealed in the witness
box as much as possible.
• Jury instructions
Pretrial motion –
minimizing prejudice to the defendant
Potential legal issues with the use of
therapy animals
• Term “therapy animal” comment on the evidence.
• If animal is in witness box, volunteer handler
must also be there. Nonverbal communication?
• Defense may claim that presence of both
handler and dog is prejudicial to the
defendant. State v Spence
How to Make a
Bullet Proof
Appellate Record
• Prosecutor must make an adequate record
for the accommodation
• Make a record of the court’s decision
• Make a record of the dog’s behavior in the
courtroom
Appellate Court Decisions
Washington
California - 2
New York
Connecticut
Ohio – 2
Michigan
Tennessee
Texas
Cases fall into two groups:
1.Use of dog allowed if it will assist witness in
testifying (New York, Michigan, Tennessee,
Texas, Connecticut, and Ohio).
2.Use of dog allowed only if it is necessary to
facilitate witness’s testimony (Washington and
California [People v Chenault, People v
Spence]).
RESOURCES
BRENDA KOCHER , Guardian ad Litem, 13th Judicial Circuit
Director, Court Facility Dog Program
Handler for Tibet-Florida’s First Courthouse Facility Dog
(813) 545-5882
DENISE CONUS, Mental Health Director,
Kids House Wayne Densch Child Advocacy Center
Sanford, Florida
Handler for Jordon, trained by Canine Companions for Independence
(407) 324-3036, ext. 2765
CINDY FRONGELLO, Orange County
Handler for Tonx, trained by Canine Companions for Independence
(407) 227-3829