Thomas Clouse

Thomas Clouse covers local, state and federal courts.

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Email: tomc@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5495
Fax: 509-459-5482

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Recent stories by Tom

Woman sentenced for fatal stabbing

September 14, 2011 in City on Page A5 A young mother sobbed and promised the family of the man she stabbed to death during a chaotic confrontation two years ago that she would take it all back if …
Nicks set to retire as chief steps down

September 14, 2011 in City on Page A1 The Spokane Police Department’s top two officers are on their way out, leaving city officials to find new leadership as they struggle with the continuing legal fallout surrounding the death … 29
36 years ordered for killing

September 13, 2011 in City on Page A5 A sentencing Monday brought together two troubled families, one grieving the loss of a beautiful girl who wanted to become a crime scene investigator and the other a family who …
Mayor promises review of Zehm case

September 10, 2011 in City on Page A1 A hastily arranged briefing by Spokane Mayor Mary Verner on Friday announcing her desire for a complete internal and external review of the Otto Zehm controversy turned into a platform … 39
Witness contact leads to arrest

September 1, 2011 in City on Page A1 The man charged with mistreating a 106-year-old Kettle Falls woman and draining her retirement account now faces a witness tampering charge. John H. “Herb” Friedlund, 78, was arrested early Wednesday … 1
UI counseled Benoit on day of her death

August 27, 2011 in City on Page A1 The University of Idaho had worked for more than two months to offer advice and help to Kathryn “Katy” Benoit after she first complained about her relationship with the professor … 4
Vigil honors slain UI student

August 26, 2011 in City on Page A1 MOSCOW, Idaho – They stood awkwardly at first, wearing summer dresses and flip-flops and holding candles. Eventually, stories and tears began to flow as friends honored the short life of …
Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder

August 24, 2011 in City on Page A7 A man charged with attempted murder pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was ordered to remain in jail on a $750,000 bond. Convicted felon Gary L. Houchins, 29, appeared Tuesday before … 1
Timeline of events in Otto Zehm case

August 21, 2011 in City on Page B7 • March 18, 2006: Otto Zehm, 36, a mentally ill and unemployed janitor, is beaten, Tasered and hogtied inside a Zip Trip convenience store by seven Spokane police officers after … 17
Mayor pushes to resolve Zehm suit

August 17, 2011 in City on Page A1 Spokane Mayor Mary Verner announced Tuesday that she is seeking “all courses of action” to resolve the civil case surrounding the city’s handling of the fatal 2006 confrontation between Spokane … 28
Expert: Officers caused death

August 16, 2011 in City on Page A5 A medical expert hired by the Spokane police officer facing criminal charges over the fatal Otto Zehm confrontation is blaming other officers at the scene for causing the unarmed janitor’s … 35
City reconsiders Zehm strategy

August 10, 2011 in City on Page A1 The Spokane Police Department’s second-in-command believes an officer didn’t follow department policy in the fatal 2006 confrontation with Otto Zehm, contradicting his previous statements. That revelation prompted Spokane Mayor Mary … 40
Central Valley schools face suit

August 9, 2011 in City on Page A6 A Seattle attorney filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Central Valley School District, alleging that a former teacher sexually assaulted his client as a child some 45 years ago. …
Racist postings allowed at bomb suspect’s trial

August 6, 2011 in City on Page A6 A federal judge Friday denied motions from attorneys representing domestic terrorism suspect Kevin W. Harpham, allowing evidence of racist postings found on Harpham’s computers to be used at his trial. … 1
Pliers may be allowed as evidence in Harpham trial

August 5, 2011 in City on Page A5 A federal judge said Thursday that he is leaning toward allowing prosecutors to show that marks made on the wires of the bomb planted on Martin Luther King Jr. Day …
Judge questions plea deal for Hells Angels member

August 4, 2011 in City on Page A6 Hells Angels sergeant-at-arms Ricky W. Jenks pleaded guilty Wednesday to being a felon possessing a firearm, but the federal judge handling the case said he wants more time before accepting …
Caretaker of 106-year-old woman charged with theft, too

August 3, 2011 in City on Page A5 COLVILLE – The man charged with mistreating a 106-year-old Kettle Falls woman was arrested on theft charges Tuesday. John H. “Herb” Friedlund, 78, is accused of raiding the retirement accounts …
Lawyers weigh insanity defense

August 3, 2011 in City on Page A5 COLVILLE – The suspect charged with killing a Colville man last month is exploring the option of pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, a prospect that bothers the dead … 2
Strandberg pleads guilty

August 2, 2011 in City on Page A5 Cole K. Strandberg has pleaded guilty to killing a Spokane woman with a crossbow in 2008. Defense attorney Chris Bugbee has acknowledged in past hearings that Strandberg killed 22-year-old Jennifer … 2
Theft charges likely in 106-year-old’s neglect case

August 2, 2011 in City on Page A1 The neglect case involving a 106-year-old woman found begging for food in her squalid Kettle Falls home has morphed into a records hunt by law enforcement and others who say … 6