Raap takes No. 2 role

Kootenai County’s new No. 2 prosecutor says media reports about sexual harassment allegations against his predecessor don’t tell the full story of what’s going on in the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office.

“We have an office of very good people here in terms of quality, competent prosecutors and good, moral people,” Chief Deputy Prosecutor Marty Raap said shortly after his promotion was announced Friday. “I think that’s a tribute to (Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas).”

Raap said he was honored to be chosen by Douglas to be the new chief deputy. He replaces Rick Baughman, who resigned Thursday after an investigation into his conduct.

Baughman didn’t return phone calls Friday.

Raap is a former Shoshone County public defender and assistant Coeur d’Alene city attorney. He was co-counsel with Douglas and Baughman in the triple murder and kidnapping case against Joseph Duncan, who is serving a life sentence for his crimes.

Raap has handled numerous high-profile cases in the nearly five years he has worked with the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office.

Raap was involved in the prosecution of Barry McAdoo, who was sentenced in 2005 to at least 15 years in prison for murdering his 15-month-old son.

In his nearly 14-year career as an attorney, Raap has done both criminal defense work and prosecution. Working in both arenas has been a valuable experience, he said.

Raap said he believes a prosecutor has to be tough but fair. “You have to realize your job isn’t to be a bully,” he said, adding that it’s important to be balanced and not overly aggressive “for the sake of aggression.”

In announcing Raap’s promotion, Douglas said Raap has a “passion for justice.”

“Mr. Raap is a respected and effective prosecutor who understands that the prosecutor’s role is not merely to win convictions, but to be a minister of justice for our citizens,” Douglas said in a press release.

Douglas did not return phone calls seeking further comment Friday.

Rapp, a 38-year-old father of two, has spent most of his life in North Idaho. He graduated from Wallace High School in 1986 and said he only lived elsewhere while attending college.

He graduated from Gonzaga University and received his law degree in 1993 from DePaul University School of Law in Chicago, where he met his wife, Yvonne.

The office’s chief deputy prosecutor oversees screening and scheduling of criminal cases. Raap said he would like to see the chief deputy become more involved in the screening of cases for “a little more oversight and consistency” in charging decisions.

Raap said he’s not discouraged to be taking on the new role in the wake of the Baughman episode.

“It’s nice to take the position when things are moving along pretty smoothly,” he said. “Even with the current controversy aside, cases are getting handled.”

He said he was fortunate to have worked with Lansing Haynes, who preceded Baughman as chief deputy and is now a district judge.

“I think I have a good model of someone to follow in terms of how to do this job,” he said.

Raap said he wants to have “an open door” as much as possible.