As a reporter, I have been afforded the opportunity to do some pretty interesting things. There are times when I wish I could take people with me.
But as a reporter it is my job to make you feel like you were right there and experienced it for yourself. It is not always easy to convey the excitement of meeting a celebrity, being on the deck of the I-90 floating bridge for the Blue Angels or watching a great musician perform.
But the access that reporters have is not always fun or exciting. Most city council meetings won’t compare to Disneyland and “breaking news” usually means something bad has happened to someone.
On Friday, I was afforded the opportunity to cover the sentencing for Patrick Rexroat, the man who killed Kirkland resident Steve Lacey last July, while driving extremely drunk. It was emotional and draining for everyone in the courtroom. I watched “hardened” news reporters well up with emotion and struggle to fight back tears as a video was played depicting Lacey’s life.
Friends and family spoke about their loss and attempted to convey to Rexroat the impact of his actions on their lives and just who he had killed. Sitting in the jury box as a member of the media, trying to put myself in their shoes, I could not imagine having the courage it would take to speak in that type of situation. I was amazed at their courage and love for Lacey.
But it is now our time to help Steve’s widow Nabila Lacey and her family. It is time to come together as a community and make sure that the increased prison sentences aren’t the silver lining that comes from this incident. Let her and her family know how much their community cares. I have seen this community help people to heal. Her friends and family showed great support on Friday and now it is our turn.
During prosecuting attorney Amy Freedheim’s statements to the judge, she asked for the strongest possible sentence. She argued it was to send a message to those who might drive drunk. But the people who got the strongest sentence were Steve’s friends and family.
Probably the only good thing that has come from this horrific incident is that it has prompted the legislature to change the laws. Rexroat’s punishment, the maximum for such an offense, is four years in prison. His case could not be covered under the new law that, in part, was prompted by his actions. The new law more than doubles the penalty for vehicular-homicide DUI to 6.5-8.5 years in prison.
But as Nabila Lacey told reporters following the hearing, no amount of time in prison will bring back her husband and the father of their two children.
Everyone who witnessed that hearing will never forget the emotions they felt. No one will never forget the hurt and anguish that friends and family expressed. I am pretty sure no one who sat in that courtroom will ever drive drunk. It is an experience you cannot put into words.
As I reporter I wish I could have brought every one of our readers with me. There is no reason to drive drunk and there is no reason for others to die because you had too big of an ego to call a cab.
Don’t do it, it is not worth it.
Contact Kirkland Reporter Staff Writer Matt Phelps at mphelps@kirklandreporter.com.
