MY TURN: Norris should be held accountable for his actions

By now, everyone has heard about the attack on my good friend Teresa Borrenpohl at the KCRCC town hall Feb. 22. Everyone has heard about the charges brought against the six men who attacked Teresa and several others who attended the town hall, but why is no one talking about the man who orchestrated and directed the assault — our very own Kootenai County Sheriff? It’s hard for me to believe that Bob Norris is immune to consequences. 

My group of friends, including Teresa, coordinated ahead of time to meet at the town hall. We were glad it was being held on public property instead of at a local church, like it normally is. We hoped that would lead to increased attendance, which it did. I’ve been to many KCRCC town halls and had never seen such high attendance.  

Something that’s important to understand is that there is no opportunity for public comment at KCRCC town halls. I’ve been attending these since 2019 and have never had an opportunity to address my legislators. Historically, the event organizers ask attendees to write their questions down and someone with the KCRCC chooses which questions will be asked. In the end, the questions asked tend to make the legislators look good. My questions have never been asked and neither have those of my friends. 

I was terrified as I sat next to Teresa and watched what unfolded on that Saturday afternoon. Teresa was no louder and no more disruptive than those cheering in support of the legislators. She didn’t interrupt any more than those of us sitting with her. She never left her seat, posed no threat to anyone, and everything she said was true. She spoke out a total of two times. I was in disbelief as I helplessly watched the violent attack that followed. 

I watched as Norris grabbed Teresa’s arm and tried to pull her from her seat. When Teresa told him it was a bad idea, he seemed to agree with her, because he immediately took his hands off of her and directed several plain-clothed men in dark clothing to remove her. He then stood by and used a cellphone to take video of the attack on Teresa. He continued to direct the men as they physically dragged her out of the auditorium. 

Norris then threatened another friend and me with arrest after we recorded video on our cellphones of what had transpired. He told us we were going to be removed also, and called for two more security guards to remove us. It’s beyond me how we escaped the same fate as Teresa. 

All of the men that Norris directed are now facing criminal charges. When it comes to Norris? Crickets. So, why, when all of the video footage from the event shows Norris directing the men who assaulted Teresa, is he not facing criminal charges? How can those who followed his commands be charged, but not Norris? 

Perhaps if the community takes a stand, justice can be served. I encourage you to contact the Idaho Attorney General to ask why Norris isn't being prosecuted. There’s a quick and easy complaint form in the public corruption section on the Idaho Attorney General’s website that can be found here (www.ag.idaho.gov/office-resources/public-corruption). If enough of us stand up and speak out, maybe justice will be served. 

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Laura Tenneson is a Coeur d’Alene resident.