Snohomish County’s first Black superior court judge has died

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash — Snohomish County’s very first African American outstanding courtroom decide has died, leaving at the rear of a lasting legacy, equally in and out of the courtroom. 

Former Snohomish County Top-quality Court docket Choose Eric Lucas handed absent very last weekend.

“When I initially identified out, I was devastated,” stated Sandra Palmer. Like lots of who knew Lucas, she couldn’t believe the information of his demise. 

Lucas, 67, invested most of his lifetime in Snohomish County and was the initially person of colour to serve as a Snohomish County Outstanding Court judge.

Palmer mentioned Lucas’ nearby roots created him exclusive when working with people in his courtroom.

“He’d say, ‘I know your mom. This is not how you have been raised. This is not how she taught you. You want to get your act with each other, and that is it.'”

Lucas attended Everett’s Mariner High College and graduated from Harvard Legislation ahead of paying out 16 a long time on the exceptional court bench.

“He believed it was a joke when he got the acceptance letter to Harvard,” said Palmer.

Lucas was really energetic in the area NAACP, where by Palmer serves as the organization’s lawful redress chair. For yrs, she watched him get the job done to assistance children attain their whole potential.

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“The most basic way is to demonstrate appreciate and show respect. That is what you have to do. Which is what he did,” Palmer mentioned.

Lucas aided “the future era fully grasp their purpose in major neighborhood adjust,” claimed Snohomish County Government Dave Somers. 

“Lately, Judge Lucas had been instrumental in engaging with the Marysville School District when Black students’ life were threatened,” ongoing Somers. “Decide Lucas will be sorely skipped. He was a shiny mild in Snohomish County and an engaging temperament for all who met him.”

Snohomish County Prosecutor Adam Cornell reported Lucas produced it a level to appear at the full particular person standing prior to him in his courtroom, and required to make guaranteed when they still left they would be a much better human being.

When he retired this previous January, Lucas instructed the Everett Herald: “I place a good deal of individuals in prison. The only matter that will work with criminal offense is to recover.”

“He was ready to appear at individuals as additional than just defendants, extra than just docket entries,” stated Cornell. “He was frequently looking to have an understanding of the root brings about of why men and women ended up included in the criminal justice process in the initial spot. Frankly, we have to have additional judges like that on the bench.”

Lucas leaves driving a legacy of company, compassion and legions of admirers, like Palmer, who will do their most effective to proceed what he started off.

“He had more get the job done to do. He required to do much more function. He was expecting to do more function,” she explained.

The Lucas family members has not produced the cause of the judge’s dying. Lucas leaves at the rear of a wife and 4 sons.

Designs for a memorial service are even now staying built.