Mistrial declared in murder trial
A judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the case against Titus Davis, who is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of 28-year-old Adama Walton.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict, said Matt Duggan, Spokane County deputy prosecutor.
Walton was killed in a gang-related drive-by shooting Sept. 14 after a party near Perry Street and North Foothills Drive, police said. Walton attempted to flee in his vehicle after being shot, but the car flipped and he died in the street, according to police.
Davis, 31, was the first of two men to go on trial in Walton’s death. Freddie J. Miller, 28, is also charged with first-degree murder; his trial date was unavailable.
A new trial for Davis will begin in the next two months, Duggan said. Davis will remain in jail on $1 million bail.
Marketplace today and Saturday
The 20th Jubilee International Marketplace begins today and continues Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar St.
The handmade crafts for sale come from places around the world, including Guatemala, Nepal, Thailand and African nations.
The craftspeople who make the jewelry, hand-knit accessories, pottery and more will benefit directly from the fair wage received for the merchandise, organizers say. Alternative gifts also are available.
It’s a nonprofit sale for the church. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Portable classroom damaged in fire
Fire damaged a portable classroom at Rogers High School in Spokane on Thursday night.
An alarm went off about 8:15 p.m., and fire crews called for a full alarm response about 8:52 p.m., according to fire dispatch.
No further information was available.
Moscow, Idaho
Ex-Scout leader convicted of abuse
A former North Idaho Boy Scout camp counselor will serve at least 15 years in prison after he was convicted in September of sexually abusing four young campers in 2007.
Timothy A. Kellis, the 39-year-old counselor who worked at Camp Grizzly near the small town of Harvard, was given concurrent life sentences on nine counts of lewd and lascivious conduct.
He also received 25-year sentences on two sexual abuse charges and 15 years on one charge of attempted lewd conduct.
Second District Court Judge John R. Stegner praised the boys for stepping forward and testifying against Kellis, who claimed innocence at his trial in September.
Kellis, a shooting sports instructor at Camp Grizzly, faces an unrelated charge of child rape in southeastern Washington.
Sandpoint
Vandals target Healing Garden
A recent vandalism spree caused thousands of dollars in damage in Sandpoint, including spray-painted graffiti at the North Idaho resort town’s Healing Garden.
The garden was designed to give residents and visitors a contemplative place to reflect or mourn a loss.
Healing Garden Committee Chairman Linda Plaster says that makes this vandalism even more disturbing.
The garden suffered hundreds in damage – in addition to the roughly $1,000 that owners of Belwood’s Furniture have spent in recent months to remove graffiti from the walls of their business.
Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood says his department takes the crimes very seriously and is investigating a number of leads.
In the meantime, he said, locals who have been targeted should consider installing better lights, to discourage damage.