Husband Of Woman Slain In Car Wants Vehicle Back

A man whose wife was found shot to death in her car more than a year ago wants the vehicle back.

But authorities say they can’t return it because it’s valuable evidence in the unsolved killing.

At a hearing Wednesday on Barrett Bailey’s request, Yakima County Court Commissioner Lani-Kai Swanhart said she wanted more information before ruling. Swanhart asked the prosecution and defense to return in two weeks with more information on court rulings in similar cases.

Bailey, 43, is asking the court to order the sheriff to release the 1995 Volkswagen Cabrio in which his wife, Deborah Kay Bailey, 32, was found with four bullet wounds to the head in February 1997. The car was found along a rural road outside Naches.

Bailey has said he was at his Selah home with his two children when his wife was killed.

He reiterated his belief Wednesday that his wife was killed as a result of her “clandestine drug life” and called the investigation into her death a “witch hunt.”

But authorities said Bailey and others are still being investigated in the case.

If an arrest is made, the car may contain valuable evidence previously overlooked or undetected, deputy prosecutor John Monter said.

“To give the car back to Mr. Bailey, I’m giving away evidence, very valuable evidence,” Monter said.

The car, registered in the woman’s name, is a valuable asset for a man who has had several problems since his wife’s death, Bailey’s lawyer Greg Scott said.

Bailey’s two children were placed temporarily in foster care when he was arrested for investigation of possessing stolen property last year, Scott said. Bailey faces a March 30 trial on those charges, filed after investigators allegedly found a stolen car and car parts on his property.

Bailey also recently lost his home to a fire and was diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness, Scott said.

Bailey was out of town on Feb. 8 when his home burned to the ground. Fire officials have not determined the cause of the blaze, but initially ruled out arson. The loss was estimated at $100,000.