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

Birnel Freed On $200,000 Bond Pending Appeal

Gita Sitaramiah Staff writer

A man who murdered his drug-abusing wife by stabbing her 31 times last year was released from jail Friday, authorities said.

Thomas “Rick” Birnel was released Friday from the Spokane County Jail after posting a $200,000 appeal bond.

A condition of the bond is that he must remain in the area.

The bond allows Birnel, who had no previous felony record, to be released from jail as he considers appealing the conviction.

Birnel, who owns a Spokane Valley carpet store, was convicted last month of second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Mary “Cookie” Birnel.

Superior Court Judge Kathleen O’Connor, who allowed the appeal bond, sentenced Birnel earlier this month to only half of the minimum prison term set by sentencing guidelines: five years.

O’Connor had said Cookie Birnel’s history of drug abuse and angry outbursts contributed to the violence.

Friends and family members of Cookie Birnel were outraged by the lenient sentence.

Cookie Birnel was high on methamphetamine when her husband confronted her about her drug problem in their Spokane Valley home the night of March 30.

She attacked him with the knife, but died with it sticking into her chest.

The Birnels had five children.

Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Sweetser said his office is considering an appeal of the lenient sentence.

He said 31 stab wounds does not merit leniency.

“We’re trying to send a message in the prosecuting attorney’s office that domestic violence is not OK,” Sweetser said.

, DataTimes