Nita Johnson: MY POINT IS...'Courting' in Kentucky

May 15—The experiences gained through the years of reporting for The Sentinel Echo are too numerous to mention all, but there are some that have made eternal recollections.

Covering the judicial system has been one of the most memorable, confusing and enlightening experiences of my life. My mother always said I should have been a lawyer because I questioned and argued to make a point. I didn't become an attorney but I've kept my ability of questioning and arguing! I have always been a huge fan of "law" shows, from Dragnet, Diagnosis Murder and Matlock to L.A. Law, Law and Order and Boston Legal. Judge Judy was also on the viewing radar!

My court reporting career came in the midst of many high-profile court cases, all of which challenged me because (1) I knew nothing about the case, and (2) I knew nothing about Kentucky's laws.

My first fiasco of the court process was when I saw a high school teacher I hadn't seen in years and I made the mistake of speaking to her. The next thing I knew, I was being jerked down the hallway by the bailiff! He informed me gruffly that I couldn't talk to the jurors. I tried to explain that I didn't know the person was a juror, nor did I know I wasn't allowed to speak to them. I simply saw someone I hadn't seen in years and wanted to say hello. But I made sure to keep my distance from groups of people exiting the courtroom from then on!

Talk about being thrown in head first with no lifejacket — one of the first cases I covered was a murder trial. At that time, the local radio station and TV news were present. After the verdict, the family of the victim held a press conference. Other reporters bombarded them with questions but I just took notes. One reporter asked me why I didn't ask any questions. I explained I'd lived out of state for the past 15 years and had no knowledge of the court system or the case. Then I followed up with: "I'm doing what my mother always said; it's better to sit back in silence and let people wonder if you're a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." That reporter never asked me again about not asking questions!

In those days, having local radio and TV reporters present for trials was common. In fact, we reviewed the case while the jury deliberated and even gave our predictions on what the verdict would be. We kept our own tally of who had the most 'wins' in the verdict outcome! Amazingly enough, the "new kid on the block" usually was correct although the penalty phase often threw all of us for a loop!

Another case was one that had received national attention that was being appealed. Therefore, I was to cover that new trial — although I, of course, again had no knowledge. So I decided to "study up" on the background of the case.

Imagine my utter despair when I learned that the judge had put a "gag order" on the files — meaning the files were unavailable and no attorneys involved were permitted to comment on the case or its background. Someone had written a book detailing some of the case, but that book was not being sold until the new trial was over. Even the libraries had to pull the book from their shelves!

Cameras were not permitted in the courtroom at that time, so when the hearing ended for the day, we reporters would literally run down the three flights of stairs of the courthouse to try to grab a picture of the accused as they were escorted back to the old jail on Broad Street.

The bailiffs and jail staff became quite familiar with that routine and tried to dodge us — using the side doors of the courthouse or positioning themselves in front, beside, or behind the prisoner(s) to block us from taking pictures. We stood in the heat, the cold, the wind, even snow at times, feverishly wishing the court officials would hurry out before we froze to death or we collapsed from the heat! We were cursed numerous times by family members who also rushed downstairs to see their loved one "close up." They also attempted to block us from taking pictures — sometimes successfully, sometimes not!

My court reporting also once landed me in the courtroom as a witness. I was present to take pictures of a high school government class watching court proceedings. There was a dispute between two neighbors on the docket, and one of the persons involved walked past the students and made an audible threat to the other person involved. Court officials did not hear the comment, but the teacher reported it to the judge. I confirmed hearing the threat. Several weeks later, I was subpoenaed to appear as a witness for the defense. When the prosecuting attorney asked why I was in the courtroom that day, I simply answered, "I was just there to get a story, not be one," which brought a smile from the attorneys and the judge!

The court system is complex, but absolutely fascinating to those who are interested in learning the laws and being familiar with the judicial process. Despite all the challenges over the years, however, in my "next life," I will fulfill my mother's life prediction for me. I'm going to be a lawyer!