Missouri woman found guilty of phone harassment

DAYTON–A Kansas City, Mo., woman was found guilty of a gross misdemeanor for phone harassment of Columbia County residents Bret and Judith Strode following a Columbia County District Court trial here July 9. Jody Brunsvold, who has no apparent ties to the Strode family or other local residents, was charged by Columbia County Prosecutor C. Dale Slack after she allegedly telephoned the victims in August of 2023 and made harassing statements.

Brunsvold allegedly placed three calls around the date of August 28, 2023, to the victims on their home phone with the intent to harass because of alleged political views about the local library situation, which was receiving national media attention at the time. Witnesses stated Brunsvold's phone calls to the Strodes used extreme, vulgar language and included a statement that she wished to see Mrs. Strode's obituary. Each time Bret or Judith Strode hung up the phone, Brunsvold would immediately call back, testimony revealed. A portion of the third phone call was recorded on an answering machine.

The voicemail was played for the jury multiple times throughout the trial, hearing Brunsvold address Mrs. Strode forcefully by name before immediately going into a vulgar, demeaning, and aggressive rant: "Judith Strode you are a [expletive deleted] shriveled up, old [expletive deleted] dusty [expletive deleted] battle axe [expletive deleted]. You have no right to take away resources from the...."

The recording ended when Bret Strode picked up the phone and asked her who she was and why she was doing this. Testimony indicated Brunsvold followed with a nervous laugh, then hung up the phone.

According to the testimony of Judith Strode, these phone calls left her physically and emotionally shaken. The incident made the couple feel violated and afraid prompting them to install a security system at their home.

Defense attorney William McCool of College Place appeared to employ two strategies in this case. The first was that though the third call was recorded and provided proof of the vulgar language, it should not be counted as harassment as it was said to a machine and not spoken directly to the victim at the time. The second argument alleged the victims were at fault for the use of the vulgar language, stating that Bret Strode laughed at her and antagonized her first.

According to the testimony of defendant, she has a degree in political science and English, works in the stock market and keeps up on national and world news. She testified that she had read an article in The Nation, a magazine, about the Columbia County Rural Library on August 28. She alleged see saw Mrs. Strode's name listed in it as a board trustee, googled her name, and obtained her phone number. Brunsvold's intent when she placed the call was to have a conversation with Mrs. Strode to change her mind and hopefully save the library. The Strodes had no prior relationship or knowledge of the defendant, testimony indicated.

Upon cross examination, Prosecutor Slack pointed out the alleged article did not list either of the Strode's names. The defendant responded that she might have also read other articles but could not remember which one might have had Mrs. Strode's name in it. She also stated to the state's questions that she did not take the time to look at the library website to see who was actually serving on the commission, nor did she research any of the other people who were named in the article she read. It was unclear how or why the Strodes were singled out by Brunsvold.

"The defense's entire argument, almost, is made up of the idea that Ms. Brunsvold is the victim here, because she called the Strodes, out of the blue, complete strangers, one morning at about 8:49 [a.m.] ...and wanted to argue with them," Slack said during closing arguments. "The Strodes didn't owe her anything...She is the one who invaded their home three times that morning."

The jury took approximately one hour to deliberate and return with a guilty verdict. Sentencing was given the following day on July 10. The maximum penalty was 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

"Today, more than any other time," District Court Judge Kimberly Boggs stated prior to sentencing, "we can say things to strangers. To say it in an intimate way in their home or in their personal space but from a distance. It's the idea of random acts of violence versus personal violence from someone you know. Ms. Brunsvold has been found guilty of making statements from a distance but in a personal space of the Strodes. And the incredible impact that it has from the people experiencing those words. And the ability to jump to that state of losing control of your emotions so easily when we are not looking people in the eyes. I think that is why telephone harassment is a gross misdemeanor and not just a misdemeanor."

Boggs imposed 32 hours of community service to be done at a public library within 60 days, a $2,500 fine, and court costs. She also granted no contact orders for Bret and Judith Strode. Failure to comply with the court order could result in jail time.

"I think the jury made the only decision they could with the evidence that we had," Slack stated outside the courtroom. "I am very hopeful that this will send a message not only to people here locally but everywhere that you can disagree, you can have arguments, you can debate, but when it moves into name calling and abuse, it is not okay, and it is a crime and somebody is going to take it seriously."

Defense counsel McCool, and the defendant Brunsvold declined comment to the Dayton Chronicle following adjournment.