Fate put in hands of ordinary citizens

Indian tribe method applied to couples dealing with violence

Lou Kilzer, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 9, 2005 at midnight

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MINNEAPOLIS — In a suburb of Minneapolis, a dozen neighbors meet in a community center basement, intent on meting out American Indian justice.

Except no one here is American Indian. And critics say the justice being sought is illusory.

On the surface, the case is routine. Randy Norlund, a 280-pound man standing 6-foot-3, was drinking too much at a party and ended up hitting his wife, Michele Ann.

Though the blow wasn't hard enough to break the skin, it was hard enough for Michele Ann's daughter to call 911.

Randy soon found himself before a judge who gave him a choice: Take a chance with the court and most likely end up in jail or try a new approach that would put his fate in the hands of ordinary citizens like himself.

With Michele Ann's agreement, Randy opted for the new "community circle," based on a technique used by American Indian tribes to decide the fate of lawbreakers.

This is the fourth circle meeting for Randy and Michele Ann. At the last one, Randy had been given his sentence.

Randy had to pledge not to repeat his offense, attend monthly circle meetings and try to repair his relationship with his wife.

This summer evening begins with Randy, Michele Ann and neighbors holding hands. Mark LaPointe says a mantra to justice.

Everyone pulls chairs into a circle. It's time to work.

Each circle member can talk — one at a time — about anything.

Randy and Michele Ann share their cornucopia of modern middle-American woes.

Michele Ann's live-at-home daughter from another marriage is pregnant, and Randy is worried that her boyfriend won't stick around. Randy thinks it's time for the daughter to get her act together, starting with paying rent. Michele Ann disagrees.

The circle sides with Randy, and the discussion leads to a recommended sum — $50 a month.

The pregnancy blends into other issues.

Michele Ann complains that Randy's son won't work around the house, doesn't want to do "women's work."

"The other day I asked him to mow the lawn," Michele Ann said. "He says 'OK.'"

But the lawn remained unmowed.

Trivial? Perhaps. But circle members say it's upon such issues that relationships are made or broken.

Since the first four sessions dealt mostly with Randy, during this one, the circle addresses Michele Ann.

Women in the group wonder if Michele Ann is letting these aggravations go too far before speaking out.

Kay Longtin, a grandmother and group leader, tells Michele Ann: "That's the problem with us martyrs. We think we can do it all until it gets overwhelming."

Longtin suggests that Michele Ann parcel out jobs before the next holiday. That way, everything is settled beforehand.

Putting Michele Ann on the spot — however gently — is exactly why opponents criticize the circle and similar efforts known as "restorative justice." They fear sending an inaccurate message that the victim is responsible for the crime against her.

Kay Longtin sees things simply: Restorative justice isn't for all couples. But in most cases, offender and victim live together or will when he gets out of jail.

"So why don't you work with them?" Longtin said. "It doesn't make good sense to me to try to keep them apart when they're not going to stay apart anyway."

Has the circle worked for the Norlunds?

LaPointe is hopeful. He tells them: "It's good to hear you're working things out in a positive way."

Randy says the circle has been one of the best experiences of his life. He is sure all is fine. He and Michele Ann recently went to Las Vegas together — with no arguments.

Then four months pass.

There is good news and bad.

The good news is Randy is attending a circle, and Michele Ann plans to go after she recovers from an illness. Randy has not been violent.

But the Norlunds have broken up.

Michele Ann says it was Randy's drinking. He denies that and says they split because Michele Ann coddles her children.

But both say the circle helped, even if it didn't save their marriage.

"It's a good deal," Randy said.

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