Retired Superior Court Judge Gerald Knight, who earned respect in courtroom, dies at 68

Published 9:59 pm Tuesday, August 16, 2011

EVERETT — The verdict was in on his first jury trial as a Snohomish County Superior Court judge.

A dog bite had landed a man in legal trouble and jurors had reached a decision.

Newly appointed Judge Gerald Knight called his wife, Linda, at home. He wanted her to be there, along with their two girls.

His family rushed to the courthouse and took their seats. To their surprise, Knight introduced his family to everyone in the courtroom, including the defendant, who turned around to smile at the judge’s wife and daughters.

“He was so proud of his family and he was so proud of his job,” Linda Knight said of her husband. “He absolutely lived and breathed the law. The job really defined him.”

Gerald Knight died Monday of complications from cancer. He was 68.

Knight beat lung cancer in 1997, but the disease returned about 1 1/2 years ago. The longtime jurist retired in December after 28 years on the bench.

“I love it. I truly do,” Knight told The Herald last year. “I enjoy human beings. It’s the entanglements that they can get in. They are never-ending. It’s been my job to help them legally and civilly resolve those entanglements.

“I see every character of human beings on a daily basis. I see the full gamut of emotions. I enjoy humanity with all its warts,” he said.

Knight earned a law degree from the University of Washington. He and his wife, a teacher, made their home in Snohomish County.

Knight became the county’s first full-time court commissioner in 1980. He was appointed as a Superior Court judge two years later.

Knight would go on to preside over some of the county’s most high-profile cases, often the steady hand and rational voice in emotionally charged trials.

His calm demeanor, intellect and no-nonsense approach to the law became his trademarks.

Knight was a mentor to his less-experienced colleagues, offering to share advice and the workload, Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman said. He motivated lawyers to be their best when they stepped into his courtroom.

“It was an honor to try a case in front of Judge Knight. I always felt like he brought out the best in me,” Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe said. Knight swore Roe into office on his last day on the bench.

Natalie Tarantino represented numerous clients in front of Knight during her 15 years with Snohomish Public Defender’s Association.

“My knees still knocked every time,” she said.

It wasn’t out of fear, but respect, Tarantino said. Knight kept full control of his courtroom without ever raising his voice. He was practical and wise, she said. He was an intent listener.

“He had these piercing blue eyes that showed that he was paying attention,” Tarantino said.

It was easy to see that Knight loved his job, Roe said.

He often ended up with some of the most interesting and complicated cases. Lawyers could count on Knight to be well-read on the law and cut to the heart of an issue without much ado.

“Nothing ever came at Judge Knight too fast,” Roe said.

His friend had such respect for the position, Superior Court Judge Ronald Castleberry said.

“He didn’t want to do anything to detract from being a good judge,” Castleberry said.

He also was a good dad, Linda Knight said. He watched out for his girls, Molly and Amanda. At times that meant inspecting a nervous date’s driver’s license and car and taking down the young man’s license plate.

Her husband may have been serious on the job, but he knew how to make her laugh, even if it was at his own expense, Linda Knight said.

The Knights complemented each other so well, said Castleberry, who was a groomsman in the couple’s wedding 44 years ago.

“She was able to laugh at him,” Castleberry said.

After retiring, Knight would have lunch with his colleagues. He didn’t let on much about his illness. There was the usual banter and jokes. His face would light up talking about his grandchildren.

“I hope one day they know what he was like,” Castleberry said.

“He was such a fine man,” McKeeman said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.

Memorial on Saturday

A memorial service for former Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Gerald Knight is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mill Creek Country Club, 15500 Country Club Drive, Mill Creek.