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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels archive for Sept. 2009

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30, 2009

Courthouse watch: 9.30.09

The man accused of killing two men Saturday argued with one before firing a gun at them, then picked up a "bigger gun with bigger flashes" and continued shooting, witnesses told police. But victim Jack T. Lamere, 41, had a gun, too, though it was…

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Defendant headbutts lawyer in court

YAKIMA, Wash. -- (AP) A murder trial in Yakima was interrupted this morning when the defendant head-butted his lawyer. The Yakima Herald-Republic reports medics were called for attorney Adolfo Banda who was bleeding heavily from a cut above his left eye. He later told Judge…

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The FBI is looking for this man, who robbed the INB bank branch at Hawthorne Road and Nevada Street at gunpoint Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Officials say the suspect tied up bank employees with duct tape during the robbery. (Spokane Valley Police Department)

Spokane bank robber still at large

In a brazen act and shockingly ugly fashion statement, a man in striped purple-and-gold poncho, a blond wig and brown false mustache tied up Spokane bank employees before escaping with cash Tuesday. The man walked into the INB Bank branch at Hawthorne Road and Nevada…

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 29, 2009

Meet Spokane's newest Oxy robber

A young woman who robbed a Spokane pharmacy of OxyContin Sunday was caught on surveillance video, and the company that makes the drug is offering a reward for information that leads to her capture. Purdue Pharma LP is offering up to $1,000 for tips that…

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Plane stolen near U.S-Canada border

An airplane was stolen from the Boundary County Airport early today. The heist is the latest move in a series of mysterious activity near the United States and Canada border in the last week. The Creston, B.C airport reported break ins over the weekend that…

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MONDAY, SEPT. 28, 2009

Courthouse watch: 9.28.09

The second suspect in Saturday's double homicide appeared in Spokane County Superior Court via video today on charges of rending criminal assistance and witness intimidation. Judge Ellen Kalama Clark reduced Mark H. Toner's bond to $35,000 from $100,000. Victim Jack T. Lamere’s family urged her…

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Vicious dog attack reported in CdA 

A 3-year-old girl remains hospitalized after being mauled by a dog in Coeur d'Alene Sunday night. The girl had ran to greet her mother as she exited her car in the driveway on North 17th Street, carrying an 8-month-old baby, when two dogs running loose…

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Purse snatch caught on tape 

Police are asking for helping finding a woman who robbed an elderly woman in a grocery store restroom. The 76-year-old woman had just withdrawn $1,000 in cash from a bank when she went to the Fred Meyer bathroom, 15609 E. Sprague Ave., after shopping on…

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Suspect in double homicide remains at large

A man accused of helping a double homicide suspect has been arrested, Spokane police announced early this morning. Mark H. Toner, 33, (left) is in Spokane County Jail on charges of rendering criminal assistance and witness intimidation after being captured without incident at a motel…

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FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, 2009

3 men sentenced in Dobson Pass murders 

The last three suspects in a double homicide in Shoshone County have been sentenced. Corey Reid, 20, (left) of Kellogg, will spend at least 30 years in prison after being convicted of two counts of aiding and abetting in the August 2008 murders of Neil…

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THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, 2009

Rikeya  Crossley, 16, drives to the basket at Valley Hooops in July 2005. Games were played on 21 courts in the parking lot of the Valley Mall to raise money for he YMCA. Joe Barrentine/The Spokesman-Review (Joe Barrentine / The Spokesman-Review)

Ex-sports star sentenced for sex crime

A former high school sports star who was to attend a community college on a basketball scholarship will spend at least four years in prison for molesting younger players. Rikeya J. Crossley, 20, (pictured above in July 2005) pleaded guilty to one count of child…

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Crime Stoppers mug shot matchup 

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information that leads to the capture of these four people. Can you match the mug shot with the allegation? Click the link below for the answers. Alleged crimes: delivery of methamphetamine, first-degree theft and first-degree identity theft, second-degree…

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Courthouse watch: 9.24.09

A man who investigators say killed his wife and severely beat the man she was having sex with when he walked in on them earlier this month pleaded innocent today to murder and other charges in U.S. District Court. Kevin I. Pakootas, 23, is accused…

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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009

SPD sergeant accused of drunken driving 

A Spokane police sergeant was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Wednesday and may face additional hit-and-run charges. Bradley N. Thoma, 44, was cited for suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and released, following a hit-and-run crash at Newport Highway and Farwell Road about 5…

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Courthouse watch: 9.23.09

The ailing mother of a man who died after being struck, Tasered and hogtied by Spokane police officers should have a chance to have her statement preserved for a civil lawsuit even though a criminal trial is pending, a federal judge ruled today. U.S. District…

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Wii was lone clue in U-Haul heist 

A video game system provided a glimmer of hope to a family hoping to find those responsible for stealing a U-Haul outside a Spokane Valley motel in July. Donnie Spivey emailed police last week after he found the serial number to his Wii console, one…

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Young  marijuana plants are shown Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in Seattle. The  marijuana is distributed to members of a cooperative of  medical patients who have received doctor's authorization to use the drug to treat their illnesses, such as AIDS and multiple sclerosis. Unlike several other states which permit  marijuana sales to patients, Washington requires patients to grow  marijuana themselves or designate a caregiver to grow it for them.(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)

AP looks at Washington pot dispute

SEATTLE — In one corner of Washington state, a 62-year-old rheumatoid arthritis patient could face more than eight years in prison for growing marijuana for himself and three others. In Seattle, meanwhile, a collection of grow operations serves 2,000 people with little interference from police.…

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Fire victim owned refrigerant company

The Rathdrum man killed in a mobile home fire Sunday has been identified as Gary M. Lindgren, 65. Lindgren died of smoke inhalation from an electrical fire caused by the misuse of extension cords, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department announced today. His neighbors called firefighters…

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Lawyer: Moore's federal charges 'beatable' 

The firearm silencer and rifle Brian L. Moore is charged with illegally possessing weren't recovered during a search of his warehouse in Orange County, Calif., by Spokane police. They were recovered when Moore's brother, Dan Moore, gave them to police and said he'd found them…

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 2009


Resort death ruled an accident

The death of a woman who fell 12 stories at the Coeur d’Alene Resort was ruled an accident today, nearly two months after her boyfriend told police it was a suicide. Lynea M. Sprung Hambrice, 36, student services coordinator at the Louisiana State University School…

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Courthouse watch: 9.22.09 

A financial scandal that ravaged a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding low-income people earned the last of two women responsible a felony theft conviction today. Rachelle D. Solomon, 39, received no jail or probation but was ordered to pay $5,000 to Mid-City Concerns Meals on…

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Moore to remain in federal custody

The boyfriend of convicted killer Shellye L. Stark will remain in custody on federal weapons charges, a judge ruled today. Brian L. Moore's public defender, Tina Hunt, had asked that Moore be released and allowed to return to Orange County, Calif., on his own. But…

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MONDAY, SEPT. 21, 2009

Courthouse watch: 9.21.09

A man accused of bilking a rental owner out of more than $15,000 was scheduled to plead not guilty to 15 felony theft charges today. Wesley O. Walters, 38, and his wife, Theresa M. Walters, managed the King’s Village Apartment Complex in the 12000 block…

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Authorities bust 2 meth labs in 2 days

Law enforcement in Spokane County this month discovered two homemade methamphetamine labs within two days and on opposite sides of the county. Spokane police and firefighters found the first lab Sept. 12 after someone reporting a strong smell of chemicals at 2409 E. Sharp about…

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