Town’s Tavern Has License Suspended Inchelium Watering Hole Cited After Incident Left Man Dead

The only tavern serving Inchelium has had its license suspended until July 1 for two incidents last fall that left one man dead and three police officers fearing for their safety.

The Washington Liquor Control Board staff had recommended cancellation of Twin Lakes tavern operator James R. Finley’s license for joining an angry mob that threatened three Colville Tribal Police officers on Sept. 24.

But the board compromised with a 38-day suspension that began last Wednesday. The suspension is punishment for the Sept. 24 incident and liquor law violations on Oct. 30 that may have contributed to the death of Inchelium resident Donald Louie.

Finley could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Ferry County Prosecutor Al Nielson was disappointed that the Twin Lakes tavern kept its license. He said the tavern has caused more trouble than the Keller Tavern, which has been closed since last summer.

“It’s a shame they didn’t pull the license permanently,” Nielson said. “I feel that the Twin Lakes tavern probably deserves to be closed more than the Keller Tavern due to the history of traffic accidents and fatalities that can be traced directly to the tavern - not just recently, but over the years.”

Owner John Ojeda surrendered his tavern license to escape criminal prosecution in an alcohol-related traffic accident. The Keller Tavern was implicated in two double-fatal accidents in 1993, and was suspected in a third.

The Twin Lakes tavern serves a small, isolated community in the eastern half of the Colville Indian Reservation.

Deputy Chief Fred Brown said an angry crowd backed three tribal officers into a corner of the Twin Lakes’ parking lot on Sept. 24 after they attempted to arrest a woman at the tavern. The Liquor Control Board staff said Finley was guilty of disorderly conduct and of allowing his customers to be disorderly.

Then, on Oct. 30, Liquor Board staffers said, Finley allowed customers to drink beer in the parking lot. It was there that Donald Louie, 30, and Jason A. Lelone, 21, allegedly began a drunken confrontation that ended in Louie’s death.

According to court documents, a rock from Louie’s car cracked Lelone’s windshield when the two decided to race their Ford Mustangs. Lelone and some friends allegedly pursued Louie and beat him before all of them returned to the tavern parking lot, where they drank some more and Louie was beaten again.

Lelone was charged with firstdegree extortion for forcing Louie to give Lelone his car to compensate for Lelone’s damaged windshield. Lelone is now serving 30 days in the Ferry County Jail. The rest of his one-year sentence was suspended.

He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault, and Prosecutor Nielson agreed to drop the extortion charge, which could have resulted in a standard-range sentence of six to 12 months in jail.

Meanwhile, a trial is scheduled July 26 for Inchelium resident Richard Signor, 23, who is charged with vehicular homicide in Louie’s death. Signor allegedly ran over Louie after giving Louie a ride.

Nielson said Louie and his son, Donivan, 14, got out of Signor’s pickup and began walking home because they were frightened by Signor’s driving. Signor allegedly drove off and then came weaving back and struck Louie.

Court records indicate Signor, Louie and Lelone all were intoxicated.

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