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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Man guilty in Bayview hammer murder

“The death penalty,” said Yvonne Wallis at her home in Bayview, Idaho, on Sept. 30, when asked about what should happen to the man accused of attacking her and her family with a hammer and knife at their home nine months ago. She is awaiting placement of a plate in her skull and requires daily visits from caregivers. (Kathy Plonka)
“The death penalty,” said Yvonne Wallis at her home in Bayview, Idaho, on Sept. 30, when asked about what should happen to the man accused of attacking her and her family with a hammer and knife at their home nine months ago. She is awaiting placement of a plate in her skull and requires daily visits from caregivers. (Kathy Plonka)

In this Sept. 30 photo, Bayview hammer attack vicitm Yvonne Wallis says she wants Larry Cragun to receive the death penalty for the attack. (SR/Kathy Plonka)

A North Idaho man who bludgeoned four people with a hammer in a brutal murder in Bayview last year has pleaded guilty.

 Larry Ward Cragun, 32, faces a mandatory life sentence with possible eligibility for parole after 10 years when he’s sentenced in May, Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh said Friday.

McHugh said he’ll recommend Cragun serve 40 years before he’s eligible for parole.

Read the rest of my story here.

Past coverage:

Oct. 23, 2011: Bayview victim: 'I'm just an invalid'

Dec. 20, 2010: 1 dead, 3 injured in Bayview hammer attack



Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.