On July 28, 2006, Naveed Haq held a loaded gun to the back of a 14-year old girl and forced his way into the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. Once inside, he shot 6 women, wounding 5, Carol Goldman, Layla Bush, Cheryl Stumbo, and Dayna Klein, and killing 1, Pamela Waechter.
Mr. Haq, then age 30, had a long history mental illness and has been diagnosed alternately with Bipolar Type I with Psychotic Features or Schizoaffective Disorder with Mood Components.
The facts of what happened on that summer day in Seattle are not in question. Mr. Haq surrendered to police within 12 minutes of entering the Jewish Federation. The question for the jury was whether or not Mr Haq was sane at the time of the shooting. If he had the psychological wherewithal to understand what he was doing. If he was, under the laws of the state of Washington, guilty of the crimes with which he was charged or if he was, instead, not guilty by reason of insanity.
On December 15, 2009, the jury found Mr. Haq guilty on all counts. I was on that jury.
In the days and weeks to come, I will have more to say about this, but on this day, today, this is enough.
Thanksgiving Letter to the Family
4 months ago
Posts
3 comments:
I think it's great to see someone accepting their civic duty instead of trying to get out of it. It must have been difficult to be in court for so long and for such a terrible crime.
But how is it that this post is dated last Thursday?
Argh - I started the post last Thursday - I wrote the first paragraph once both sides gave their closing statements. The rest of it was written today. Sorry about that!
So glad it's done for you! I can't wait to hear more about the trial. Hopefully - by FINALLY being able to talk about it - you'll have some catharsis. I could tell it was tough on you to NOT talk about it... it was like the court system was holding your brain and mouth hostage. Glad you're FREEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
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