May 2, 2008 in City

In brief: Chism explores legal action

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The Spokane firefighter exonerated Tuesday of child pornography charges cautioned against a “rush to judgment” at a news conference Thursday, as his attorney said the firefighter is considering legal action against the Washington State Patrol.

Attorney Carl Oreskovich said his office is going through the WSP’s nearly 1,300-page investigative file to determine what evidence the agency had or didn’t have before detectives arrested Lt. Todd Chism.

Chism was arrested Jan. 29 after the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force searched his Nine Mile Falls home and seized computers. He was released from jail the next day after a Spokane judge ruled that the evidence was “too slim.” But he remains on paid administrative leave from the Fire Department, pending a routine internal investigation by the city.

The State Patrol now says Chism, 41, was the victim of fraud, and an unknown person used his identity and credit card to purchase the porn.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner

BOISE

State proposes wolf-death quota

Idaho Fish and Game Commission is proposing a quota of 328 wolf deaths this year – including reported deaths from natural causes, predation control and hunting.

If the quota is reached, the state would still finish the year with a wolf population of between 550 and 600, agency officials said.

The quota was released Thursday as part of the proposed hunting season rules. The commission is accepting public comments on the rules through May 16.

–Becky Kramer

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