Opinion ID: 1854995
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Handholding Incident

Text: Respondent and Everts traveled to Gering, Nebraska, on June 2, 1992, for a trial. Due to the length of the trial, they were required to stay overnight in a local motel. After the first day of trial, Everts and respondent ate dinner together at a restaurant in Gering. Before eating, respondent asked Everts if she was going to pray. Everts responded that she would and folded her hands and put her head down. At that point, respondent, without saying anything, placed his hand on the table, and Everts placed her hand on his. Although Everts said nothing to respondent at the time, she stated that holding his hand embarrassed her. Respondent admits the incident occurred but asserts that the incident was simply a prayer before a meal and that his family usually prays in that manner. Respondent's regular court reporter at the time was Yvonne (Bonnie) Frye. Frye testified that although she was able to travel with respondent for the trial in Gering, he chose to take Everts. Upon his return, respondent told Frye, `Oh, by the way, I got to hold Lori's [Everts'] hand.' Frye testified that she had prayed with respondent before approximately 30 meals but that she never held his hand. The master found that the handholding incident occurred and amounted to sexual harassment in violation of Canons 2 and 3(B)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and § 24-722(6).