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

Rejected Salesman Accused Of Assault

Compiled From Wire Services

A magazine salesman revisited the apartment of an 88-year-old woman who turned down a subscription and attacked her, police said.

Samuel A. Erby, 20, was arrested soon after the assault and charged Friday with injury to an elderly person. He was in jail Saturday with bail set at $5,000.

Police said the salesman walked into the woman’s unlocked apartment Wednesday and tried to suffocate her with her scarf. Then he tried to smother her with his hand as she fought him and screamed. He ran away and a neighbor called 911.

“She had told him ‘no’ and he had left,” Capt. Joey Ziemian said. “But he came back.”