I applaud the guilty verdict handed down by the jury in the Malcolm Fraser/Sound Doctrine Church case and wanted to commend the Enumclaw Police Department, Detective Grant McCall and the King County Prosecutors Office for their outstanding professionalism in such a serious case, which was made more difficult due to the almost constant harassment by the small group of supporters of Fraser.

I also want to commend Sound Publishing, The Courier-Herald and, in particular, Dennis Box, for the outstanding reporting and coverage of the case in the face of incessant and harsh attacks by members of Sound Doctrine. It takes courage to speak the truth in the face of such attacks and falsehoods.

As a 25-year veteran police detective who investigated and helped send many such despicable child rapists like Fraser to prison, I am hopeful that this verdict will spare many more children from becoming victims in the future. I also hope that victims of Malcolm Fraser can, through this verdict, begin to find healing from the damage done to them and that others may feel comfortable coming forward if they have stories to tell as well.

Justice has been served by this verdict and I am hopeful that the sentence in this case will be a long one and reflect the grievous nature of the crimes of Malcolm Fraser. I am also hopeful that the community of Enumclaw can begin to find closure with this verdict as well after the many months of harassment from Fraser’s supporters.

Christopher Hurst

State representative

31st Legislative District