When the doors of Judge James R. Dabney’s courtroom swung open at 8:45 this morning, two grieving mothers, each with an irreplaceable hole in her heart, walked through and assumed their chosen seats.
The scenario never varies, even with their first alone Mother’s Day only hours away.
For the last 8 months, every time there is a hearing for the defendant, Sgt. Scott Ansman of the National Guard, Marilyn Ansman and Martha Lou Harris, mother of JoAnn Crystal Harris, the woman he is charged with murdering last Aug. 24, are wordless eyewitnesses to the typically succinct proceedings.
They don’t speak to each other.
They don’t even glance at each other.
But, since mothers know everything, according to tradition, they are fully aware of the woman at the opposite end of the row.
Fatigue Follows
Occasionally, always separately, out of hearing range of the other mourning mom, they will speak briefly about their sagging exhaustion.
Each is cursed with a physical infirmity that drains all pleasure from walking.
Numerous times since their periodic treks began last September, both Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Ansman have confided that they didn’t think emotionally they could sit through one more court session.
This morning’s was barely one minute long although they had to wait nearly an hour to wade through other cases.
Forced to change lawyers because he could not afford the firm that had been representing him, Sgt. Ansman was introduced to Nan Whitfield, the public defender appointed to replace Richard Wynn of Long Beach and Riverside.
As the painful plodding toward an eventual decision — Sgt. Ansman faces life in prison if convicted — nerves are fraying.
They burst into the open last Friday morning after Mr. Wynn withdrew from the case.
With a new attorney on the case, the wait is certain to be extended months longer than before.
After Judge Dabney set Thursday, June 5, for a pre-trial hearing, Dep. District Attorney Joe Markus made an announcement to the courtroom.
“The victim’s family is most interested in getting this case to trial,” he said.
Mr. Markus may have been stating the obvious, but Mrs. Harris’s face reflected her gratitude.
Mrs. Ansman is expected to spend Mother’s Day visiting her son in jail.
