Agencies, attorneys receive award

Effort to provide lawyer to victim's family noted

GRANT COUNTY - Three agencies in Grant County received an award for providing an attorney for surviving family members during a murder trial.

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy presented the Grant County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the Grant County Victim/Witness Unit and Dano, Gilbert & Ahrend law firm with an award Sept. 18 for their efforts in providing an attorney to the family of murder-victim Craig Sorger.

Moses Lake-based attorney Garth Dano received the county-funded appointment to defend Sorger's parents, which became a first in the state. The prosecuting attorney's office requested the appointment after the defense team for the trial requested Sorger's mental-health records.

"I was very surprised (about the award), but I think it says something about how big of an accomplishment it was, to still be getting recognized for it two years later," said Victim-Witness Coordinator Karla Krautscheid.

Krautscheid said the same accomplishment was recognized by the National Crime Victim Law Institute.

The "Moving Mountains" award was presented to the law offices and seven other organizations and individuals in the state at the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy's annual conference. The Washington State Coalition of Domestic Violence, The Refugee Women's Alliance and Kati Arledge from the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs are among those who received awards.

"These awards are (our office's) recognition that successes in this important work can sometimes come after long-term effort," stated Managing Director Bev Emery. "These important individuals and organizations are part of a vital network contributing to eliminating violence in our lives."

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy is part of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.