Slain Man Spent 7 Years In Prison For Tavern Murder

A man shot to death in east Spokane this weekend once killed a bartender over a $5 bet on a pool game.

Roy Edward Gant, 49, died about 8 p.m. Sunday after being shot near the intersection of Third and Stone.

Witnesses told police Gant was arguing with a woman shortly before he was shot inside his tan Chevrolet Citation.

Detectives on Tuesday were still investigating Gant’s homicide - Spokane’s 12th this year - and released few details.

Investigators said they were questioning a 34-year-old woman who turned herself over to police at the county jail before dawn Monday.

The woman, who is in jail on two unrelated warrants, hasn’t been charged in Gant’s death, and detectives have not released her name.

They said she knew the victim, but didn’t elaborate on the relationship.

“We’re not looking at her as a suspect at this time,” Lt. Jerry Oien said Tuesday. “We’re waiting to talk to the witnesses and get as clear a picture as possible before we start discussing self-defense or charges.”

Gant was convicted of second-degree murder in 1976 for shooting James Loston in the head with a .38-caliber pistol.

Police said Gant killed Loston, who tended bar at a downtown tavern, after losing the $5 wager. He served 7-1/2 years in state prison and was released in 1983.

Later that year, Gant applied for state disability benefits, claiming his race and criminal history, combined with a blind eye and bad knee, made it impossible for him to find work.

Gant, who was black, wanted $304 per month in public assistance. His claim was rejected.

Two months ago, Gant’s wife obtained a court order to keep him away from her and her children.

Maleka Gant, 44, said her husband often beat her and once threatened to set her on fire, according to court documents. “I am hearing impaired and very much afraid for my life because I know too much about Roy,” wrote Maleka Gant, who added that her husband dealt drugs.

, DataTimes