Reporter’s Notebook: One crazy courtroom confrontation
The confrontation this past July 7 between Lena Hess and the family of her deceased husband, Dennis Hess, was an alternately awkward and
heartbreaking scene.
The hearing, which took place before Circuit Judge Abe Shafer, was to determine whether to grant orders of protection filed by Lena against Dennis’ daughters, Michelle Cerruti and Audra Wyatt, and his grandson, Kris Lane. Lena came with her attorney, Robert Arnold. Cerruti, Wyatt and Lane had no legal representation and chose to wing it, with mixed results.
The source of the dispute was a commotion that occurred at Dennis’ funeral, which according to Arnold caused Lena to “fear for her safety.” Arnold also cited a veiled threat, attributed to Lane and directed toward Lena, that appeared on a message board that exploded with comments shortly after Dennis’ death.
Lena took the stand in a black skirt, sandals and a zebra-print top. Her hair looked unwashed, provoking unkind whispers from Dennis’ supporters in attendance. Prompted by Arnold, she spoke about finding her husband dead on June 15, and about the day of his funeral.
Lena said she’d set up a display at the White Chapel Funeral Home in Dennis’ honor: his $500 cowboy boots, a bottle of Crown Royal Special Reserve and a pack of Camel cigarettes. “These three,” she said, motioning to the respondents’ table, where Cerruti, Wyatt and Lane sat, “drank all the liquor and took all of Dennis’ belongings.” But she was never able to provide any evidence to back up those accusations.
Lena left before the end of the funeral service but testified that she heard that Lane tore down a poster depicting her and Dennis that was also on display. “He [Dennis] would not have been proud of how any of them acted that day,” Lena said, provoking laughter from Dennis’ supporters in the gallery.
“This is not a theater,” Judge Shafer admonished.
