{"id":34229,"date":"2026-11-04T15:57:23","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T22:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lelandhale.com\/butcherbaker\/wordpress\/?p=34229"},"modified":"2026-11-04T15:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T22:59:08","slug":"cindys-courtroom-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lelandhale.com\/butcherbaker\/wordpress\/2026\/11\/04\/cindys-courtroom-escape\/","title":{"rendered":"Cindy’s Courtroom Escape"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Run For Cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’d think I could make it all the way through Hansen’s sentencing. After all, I was determined to get my justice and to see him off to jail. That’s where he belonged. And, yes, I’ll admit that part of me wished for something bigger. If anyone deserved a death sentence, it was him.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"escape\"\/
Northern Lights, Preston Singletary<\/strong>
(Boney Courthouse, Anchorage)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I’ve Got Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leland<\/em>: Ok, let me get this right… So you\u2019re directly behind Hansen?
Cindy<\/em>: Not even behind him. I was to the\u2026 to his left. So I could see his face. And so when he stretched back, he could turn and look at me. And I can look at him and say, \u201cYeah, motherf….r. Now what, bitch?\u201d
Q<\/em>: Except it came back to bite you, right?
A<\/em>: Still gives me the chills. All right? Like, “get out of here!”<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"escape\"\/
Boney Courthouse, Third Floor<\/strong>
(copyright Zachary Washburn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Exit Strategy <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when I ran. I was so scared. I was scared to death. I was gone. I was gone right out the door. I knew where all the exits were, because at that point I got really good at that. When I came into the room I memorized it\u2026 I knew everything about that place and the people in it. Had it down perfect. So\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I ran as fast as I can, out of the courtroom and into the hallway. I sort of froze until I saw the ladies restroom and I dashed inside. \u2018Cuz he couldn\u2019t follow me there, could he? The door closed behind me and I\u2019m balled up with my arms across my chest, my butt against the wall. I’m crying. Sobbing and heaving, gasping for air. My knees started to buckle. I\u2019m sliding down the wall. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"escape\"
Boney Courthouse Interior<\/strong>
(copyright Bill Roth, ADN)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Then somebody comes in, a lady bailiff. And she says, \u201cIt’s OK. He’s not gonna hurt you no more. He can’t hurt you no more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, yeah<\/em>. She has a gun<\/em>\u2026 Can she imagine how my mind is working? […] After the way he treated me, all I can think is: Why does he deserve to even live?<\/p>\n\n\n\n