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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Fatal-crash defense: Blame the dead guy

A Ferry County man who was drunk during a highway crash last fall was not responsible for the death of the other driver, a jury recently decided.

John H. Clifford was acquitted of vehicular homicide but convicted of drunken driving for an Oct. 2 crash on Highway 21 about fives miles north of Malo.

The 9:20 p.m. crash killed Arthur M. Voges, 49, of Malo. Voges's wife, Linda, suffered a cracked rib, according to a previous report.

Investigators said Clifford's 1993 Isuzu Rodeo crossed the center line, but Clifford, who was 66 at the time of the crash, told jurors it was Voges who had crossed the center lane.

Clifford will be sentenced for drunken driving on Friday. He is represented by Republic lawyer Steve Graham.

Past coverage: Highway 21 crash kills Malo man



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