Suspicious Death Was Murder Man On Burglary Spree Charged With Second-Degree Murder

A Craigmont man has been charged with second-degree murder for the May 28 shooting death of a man whose body was found in his van at the Clearwater boat ramp in Lewiston.

Stephen R. Duman, 23, was being held at the Nez Perce County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing for the slaying of David H. Morrison. He appeared Friday before Magistrate Carl Kerrick.

Duman allegedly killed Morrison, 55, while on a methamphetamine-fueled burglary spree in Lewiston.

Nez Perce County Prosecutor Denise Rosen did not charge Duman with first-degree murder because, she said, “I could not find any evidence that would be the proof of premeditation.”

Duman faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.

According to information in court records, Morrison died of gunshot wounds to his head and chest. A .22-caliber handgun was found at the scene in two pieces, one part inside the van and the other outside on the ground.

The gun was traced to Duman, and court records show the accused killer’s father told officers the gun was given to his son two years ago as a birthday present.

Stephen Duman was arrested early on the morning of May 28 in a neighborhood about two blocks from the boat ramp area. Two residents had reported a man was attempting to get into their homes by pounding on their doors and rattling doorknobs.

Witnesses said the suspect also was burglarizing vehicles.

Duman recently was laid off from a lumber mill in Craigmont.

Following Friday’s hearing, the victim’s ex-wife said she would always wonder why Morrison was killed.

“If anybody wanted anything, all they had to do was ask,” said Joyce Morrison, who discovered the body Tuesday morning.