In brief: Guilty verdict in robbery, assault
A Spokane jury on Tuesday found a man guilty of robbing and assaulting a Spokane prostitute he met through an Internet site.
After the attack, Brad M. Self of Pinehurst, Idaho, posted an online message on Craigslist, warning others to stay away from the woman because she used heroin.
The Spokane County Superior Court jury last week heard the story of how Self and Iraq war veteran Sean E. Boyd schemed to meet the woman and rob her in her Browne’s Addition apartment.
Boyd pleaded guilty in the incident and has been cooperating with prosecutors in exchange for a reduced prison term.
He’ll be sentenced Friday.
Omak, Wash.
Colville tribes close plywood mill
A plywood mill owned by the Colville Confederated Tribes in Omak, Wash., has closed temporarily amid a nationwide slump in building, forcing layoffs of about 200 workers.
The Colville Indian Plywood and Veneer plant, which employs 230 people, is operated by the Colville Tribal Enterprise Corp.
A small number of employees will remain at the plant in the chipping, maintenance, shipping and security departments, CEO Troy Johnson said.
“We anticipate reopening the plywood side when the market conditions bounce back,” Johnson said.
Tribal members will receive preference for any jobs that open up with the tribe or its corporation, according to a statement released by the corporation.
Eastern Washington
Toddler, woman killed in crashes
A toddler and a Cheney woman have died in separate traffic collisions.
The causes of both crashes remain under investigation.
A three-car crash Wednesday killed Coral Muscarella, 52, of Cheney.
Kimberly Campbell, 19, was westbound on State Route 904 at Purvis Road in a Nissan Pathfinder about 10:15 a.m. when she rear-ended another car, according to the Washington State Patrol. Then she swerved into the oncoming lane and collided with a Honda Pilot, said WSP Trooper Mark Baker. Muscarella was driving the Honda.
No alcohol or drugs were suspected, authorities said.
On Tuesday, a two-car crash on State Route 17 south of Soap Lake killed a 1-year-old girl.
Douglas E. McGowan was booked into Grant County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence after being treated for minor injuries at a hospital, officials said.
McGowan was southbound on State Route 17 in his black GMC pickup about 7:20 p.m. when he collided with a northbound Pontiac coupe, authorities said. The child was in the Pontiac.