The Seattle Washington Branch of the NAACP Had a press confrence today. James Bible, President, spoke about King County Sinior Deputy Prosecutor James Konat, and his use of racally charged language and racial stereotyping in several cases including the high profile murder trail of Kevin Monday. The NAACP is calling for Konat's imidiate resignation. The NAACP sent this letter to King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg. Below is the letter written by the NAACP to Prosecutor Dan Satterberg.
"Friday July 01, 2011
Dan Satterberg Esq
King County Prosecutor
King County Courthouse
Room W 554
Seattle WA 98104
As one of the nation's oldest and largest civil and human rights orginazations, the NAACP believes that it is critical that we adress issues withing our system of justice that have the potential to adversely impacy jury decisions based on constitutionally protected class membership. After Meeting with members of your office and careful consiteration, we believe that King County Prosecutor, James Konat should be asked to resign from his position as a King County Prosecutor.
Mr. Konat's comments in the Moday case were an affront to our system of justice. I can safely say that prosecutors and defence attornys alike are deeply disappointed and outraged by the way in Mr. Konat conducted himself during this trail. We have heard from many attorneys that Mr. Konat's conduct during the Moday case is not an issolated event.
It has become clear that comments made by Mr. Konat during the closing argument of the Atif Rafay and Sebatian Burns trail could easily be perceived as an attempt to appeal to nationalism and the fear that some people may have of Muslim people. These sorts of appeals to jurors are not supported by our constitution and are a disapointment and outrage to many of us who work and participate in our system of justice.
Mr. Konat's treatment of African American witnesses during the Monday case was clearly unacceptible. Based on the opinion handed down by the Supreme Court of out state, it would appear that Mr. Konat sought to mock African American witnesses based upon their accents. It is notable that the witnesses came to testify and subjected themselves to questioning by the state and defence. This is reflective of their desire to adhere to the rules of our system of justice. Through his closing argument and treatment of witnesses during the Monday case, it is clear to us that Mr. Konat was seeking to convey his perceptions about African American norms, values and beliefs to the jury.
In 2006, the NAACP met with King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng in relation to our concerns about racial comments made by another prosecutor who had made racially charged statments via email to defence attornys. Norm Maleng promised us that the issue would be addressed swiftly and decisivly. Shortly thereafter, the prosecutor in question resigned from his position as a King County Prosecutor. Mr Konat's comments in the Monday decision are such an affront to our system of justice that his resignation is appropiate.
We disagree with those that believe that a demotion would address the concerns that have been articulated in this letter. Over the past several years, King County and the State of Washington has been the subject of disproportionate racial incarceration studies. It is notable that sugnifigant incarceration occurs through crimes that involve drug or poverty offences. Given the statements and actions of Mr. Konat in the Monday case, placing him in another division of the King County Prosecutors Office will do little to diminish the concern that disproportionate incarceration is based upon unequal application of the law.
Sincerly
James Bible
James Bible Esq.
President
Seattle King County NAACP"
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