Prosecutor To Seek Death Penalty Trial To Begin For Man Accused Of Killing Lewiston Woman

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against David Hawkins in the slaying of a Lewiston woman.

Hawkins’ trial in Lewiston’s 2nd District Court is slated to begin on Monday.

In a notice filed Friday, Nez Perce County Prosecutor Denise Rosen announced she would ask 50-year-old Hawkins be executed if he is convicted of killing Leslie McKinney in December 1993.

Her partially clothed body was found near the Hillary Motel, where Hawkins was staying in his sister’s motor home.

She had been hit in the head and an electrical cord was wrapped around her neck. Evidence shows she had had sexual intercourse.

Rosen attempted to have the criminal complaint against Hawkins include the accusation he killed McKinney during a rape. The court ruled there was no evidence to show the sexual act was not consentual.

Hawkins told police he never met McKinney. Her former boyfriend, Monte Olson, testified at a preliminary hearing the three of them met the night before at the Arbor Lounge and made arrangements to meet later at Hawkins’ place.

Olson said he fell asleep and never showed up at the motor home.

Judge Ronald Schilling last week ruled genetic evidence will be allowed at the trial.