Spokane7
48°
July 23, 2010 in City
Spokane County prosecutor candidates, issues
David Stevens
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
To allow readers to compare and contrast the five candidates for Spokane County prosecutor, The Spokesman-Review asked the candidates the same three questions:
• How concerned should the public be over the large number of felony suspects being released without charges being filed within 72 hours?
• Apart from managing the office, what would you consider your primary duty as prosecuting attorney for Spokane County?
• How would you cope with spending cuts and other budget challenges facing the office?
The candidates were allotted 350 words each to answer all three questions. Here, in their own words, are their answers:
David Stevens
48, served six years in the Navy, worked for U.S. Housing and Urban Development for six years, law degree from University of Washington School of Law, moved to Spokane in 1999, worked nine years as deputy Spokane County prosecutor, Republican, ran unsuccessfully for State Legislature in 2004 and judge in 2006 and 2008.
Campaign website: www.ElectDaveStevens.com
72-hour rule: Failure to quickly prosecute career criminals leads to more crime and more victims. It is not uncommon for a Spokane career criminal to have more than nine separate felony convictions and dozens of misdemeanor convictions, and yet have never served a significant prison sentence. It has been well documented that career criminals have been released from custody because the Spokane County prosecutor’s office failed to file charges within 72 hours of arrest. The current practice is a welcoming invitation to criminals. Making it a priority to quickly charge and prosecute career criminals to the full extent of the law is not only cost effective; it creates more respect for the law and protects our community’s quality of life.
Primary duty: The elected prosecutor must be a leader. He should lead in the courtroom by prosecuting cases which call into question whether the criminal justice system is working. He should be the one prosecuting cases involving the prosecution of law enforcement officers and those cases where the public might be concerned that those well-connected are getting preferential treatment. The public should be able to trust that the elected prosecutor is a leader who is doing his level best to protect our community and hold criminals accountable without favoritism.
Budget challenges: The Spokane County prosecutor’s office has been chronically underfunded for more than a decade. Recent budget cuts to the office didn’t trim fat. The cuts lopped off limbs. The county commissioners need to be persuaded that the previous cuts to the office have affected community safety and further cuts would be catastrophic. If additional cuts are mandated, the elected prosecutor must prioritize what the office can do with reduced funding and ensure that the county commissioners understand exactly how additional cuts will impact community safety.”
Steve Tucker
59, served six years in Air Force and Air National Guard, 11 years Washington State Patrol trooper, law degree in 1984 from Gonzaga University School of Law, deputy prosecutor for 10 years, two years in private practice, Republican, elected prosecutor in 1998, 2002 and 2006, lived in Spokane for 50 years.
Campaign website: state voter’s guide.
72-hour rule: First, it should be noted that we are referring to ‘suspects’ (innocent until proven guilty). Seventy-two hours is the period that we have to file charges in order to keep suspects in custody (usually after considering the seriousness of the crime and the safety of the community if released). With law enforcement cooperation, we meet the deadline in major and serious violent crimes. In lower level drug and property crimes, the suspects are often given low bond amounts or released by a judicial official or the investigation is not completed or forwarded to us in time. Our office makes charging decisions as soon as the reports are delivered but, due to budget cuts, we are now forced to prioritize which cases are filed. We are working on getting police reports electronically and trying an early case resolution program to attain swifter justice. Our attention to charging and dedication is evidenced by our trial conviction rate being higher than all other large counties in Washington.
Primary duty: The most important and primary duty is to keep Spokane safe. While there are many other functions that the office performs, the greatest amount of time, money and effort is related to the criminal division of the office. Crime fighting involves deterring crime and prosecuting the criminals. Community education is paramount. I have assigned all deputy prosecutors to at least one school as a resource to principals and PTAs and I work closely with community groups to help educate Spokane residents about crime.
Budget challenges: Our budget is very lean. As with any major cuts, more personnel would be laid off, and the cases would have to be further prioritized, giving greatest weight to serious and violent crimes, while expanding our three diversion programs and drug court to try and hold offenders accountable.
Chris Bugbee
43, originally from Orange County, Calif., law degree in 1995 from McGeorge School of Law – University of the Pacific, moved to Spokane County in 1995, deputy Spokane County prosecutor 1996 to 2002, adjunct business law professor at Spokane Community College 2002-2003, private criminal defense practice 2002 to present, Republican, first run for office.
Campaign website: www.bugbeeforprosecutor.com
72-hour rule: The public should be very concerned that criminal offenders are not being properly evaluated during the 72-hour filing period. The current prosecutor’s practice results in too many dangerous offenders being released to walk our streets with no conditions of release. When offenders are released within days of their arrest without any conditions, prosecutors have a difficult time justifying a later request to impose conditions. Additionally, offenders have no sense of accountability when they are arrested and then quickly released without any conditions threatening to return them to jail. As a result, public safety is threatened, criminal accountability suffers and the integrity of the criminal justice system is rightfully questioned.
Primary duty: The county prosecutor is the highest paid law enforcement official in the county. As such, he should be most accountable to the public for the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. As your prosecutor, you can hold me accountable to make sure that violent offenders, sex offenders, gang members and career criminals are held fully accountable. I will see to it that deputy prosecutors are supported with sufficient personnel and resources to prosecute crime. I will work directly with the courts, the county commissioners, our sheriff and our local police chiefs to ensure that our criminal justice system is effective and efficient. Finally, I will be decisive and responsive to the public and media.
Budget challenges: While the prosecuting attorney’s office is filled with talented and dedicated deputy prosecutors and staff, morale has suffered because they work without known standards and established guidelines. They also lack a leader who has demonstrated by example a passion for protecting the safety of this community. I will establish charging and plea standards. Additionally, morale and productivity will increase when deputies and staff know that they are led by a working prosecutor who is passionately dedicated to protecting the public and to getting back the personnel and resources that have been lost to the budget crisis. The implementation of a cultural “Can-Do” attitude will carry this office through this crisis until the budget improves.
Frank Malone
67, served 26 years in U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard and retired as an officer, law degree in 1985 from Gonzaga, 42 years in Spokane, law practice since 1985 includes criminal, family and civil law, Democrat, first run for office.
Campaign website: www.VoteFrankMalone.com
72-hour rule: Everyone should be very concerned. Job No. 1 is to improve the performance in charging suspects. It is unacceptable to waste law enforcement resources, your tax dollars and put our citizens at risk by releasing suspects without supervision for lack of being charged. Without being charged and supervised, many suspects are free to re-offend and many are re-arrested. It’s just common sense to make this priority one. The office is about effective prosecution and public safety, not politics.
Primary duty: After timely charging, common sense tells me that a closer working relationship with sheriff’s deputies and our cities’ police will help to lower crime rates. Prosecutors and law enforcement must be encouraged to work more closely and cooperatively.
Budget challenges: Living with a reduced budget is reality and will be a continuing challenge. But it is simply no excuse for poor performance. The prosecutor’s office is not an optional service that can be delayed until more tax revenue is available. The office must be flexible, adapt to new technologies and be creative. Our staff of highly dedicated and skilled professionals will provide new approaches, ideas and enhanced programs with proper leadership, motivation and prioritization. The budgeting and budget communication process must be significantly improved. Currently the office is viewed and treated by many as a single budget number. I will initiate “program budgeting” for effective strategic prioritization. We would then show citizens how the prosecutor is spending their money. The budget must be transparent, based on achievable goals and measurable results, not just a lump sum. It’s just common sense management. Thank you for your interest and I look forward to serving our community.
Jim Reierson
59, served nine years in the U.S. Navy, law degree in 1981 from University of Arkansas Law School, U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps 1982-’87, assistant Arkansas attorney general 1987-’88, National Labor Relations Board 1988-’89, deputy prosecutor in Walla Walla County 1991-’98, deputy prosecutor in Kootenai County 1999 to present, Law and Order candidate, unsuccessfully ran for judge in 1998, 2002 and prosecutor in 2006.
Campaign website: state voter’s guide.
72-hour rule: All Spokane County residents should be extremely concerned about the long standing and ongoing practice of felony suspects being released from jail because Prosecuting Attorney Steve Tucker refuses to file criminal charges within the required 72-hour period. This is irresponsible and arguably malfeasance, because many of these suspects commit more crimes, including felony eluding law enforcement, which places both citizens and officers at risk. Or, others flee the area, making it harder to prosecute them even if charges are filed later, due to lack of witnesses. If suspects are charged promptly, as Kootenai County does, prosecutors are more likely to obtain guilty pleas, allowing victims to receive the justice they deserve. As a result, Coeur d’Alene is a safer place for families to raise their children.
Primary duty: The primary duty of the prosecuting attorney is to prosecute all cases properly submitted by law enforcement agencies. The prosecuting attorney also should meet on a regular basis with all law enforcement agencies to establish standards necessary for charging criminal offenses. It is important to recognize problems with existing state laws in order to try to get them corrected as well as getting new laws passed to better protect the public. A good example is the felony DUI law that I proposed in 2000 to mandate actual prison for habitual drunk drivers. The current law requires four prior misdemeanor convictions before the felony can be charged. This law needs to be changed to require only two prior convictions, as Idaho law provides.
Budget challenges: I would look at the responsibilities and caseloads of all attorneys to determine where disparities exist, and whether management is top heavy. For example, is a ‘senior attorney’ earning $100,000 doing less work than an “attorney” earning $50,000? I want to find ways to create efficiency, but attorneys may have to be prepared to work longer hours. I would negotiate with the prosecutor’s union to consider salary restructuring. Currently, at least 30 senior deputies earn $100,000 or more, and Steve Tucker earns almost $145,000, making them some of the highest paid county employees. If elected, I would take a pay cut.
Couple acquitted of caging 2 boys 
kaywrightmcg2003 on July 23 at 1:09 a.m.
Of all the candidates you chose David Stevens for the picture! How many times have the voters said NO to him!
Ron_the_Cop on July 23 at 3:42 a.m.
Yeah but Bugbee got the lead in of the companion article.
liarsinnews on July 23 at 8:25 a.m.
Please voters don`t allow Tucker to slip back into office. Let him continue to spend his time at the 19th hole on his own time.
horse_feathers on July 23 at 9:05 a.m.
My vote will be for Malone.
CONCERNEDREADER on July 23 at 9:39 a.m.
I think that Frank Malone is a good guy, but he is the only attorney that has not had any experience as a prosecutor - that concerns me and I believe that his criminal law work is centered around DUI’s and infractions or drugs as opposed to any major crimes. Though he might be a good person, the prosecutor’s office needs a leader that is able to do just that, lead and I am just not sure that Mr. Malone has the experience to do so.
addyh on July 23 at 9:50 a.m.
Curt Bailey - the print edition has pictures of all the candidates. For some reason, only the first photo shows up on the online story.
Addy Hatch
Ron_the_Cop on July 23 at 9:59 a.m.
To all,
Please consider all candidates with the exception of Tucker with an open mind. I haven’t decided yet who I will support. We need an aggressive prosecutor that is truly independent of Spokane’s powers that be. For further information please visit my website at:
www.ronthecop.com
And please see the extensive comment thread in the S-R article by Clouse where Tucker mislead voters as to the support of his reelection by Sheriff Knezovich:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jul/21/sheriffs-support-falls-in-gray-area/
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
ig1 on July 23 at 12:16 p.m.
Chris Bugbee definitely has my vote.
brianrbreen on July 23 at 12:25 p.m.
The 72-hour rule:
Not one of the candidates addressed with any degree of specificity how they were going to resolve the 72-hour rule issue.
Historically problems associated with the 72-hour rule in felony cases have plagued the office of the Spokane County Prosecutor and local law enforcement. The rule requires that once an individual is taken into custody they must be formally charged in court within 72 hours. The formal filing of charges can occur in District Court or directly in Superior Court. The duty and responsibility for the formal filing of charges lays with the Prosecutor. The duty and responsibility for submitting an in-custody case to the prosecutor within 72 hours is with law enforcement.
It is important to understand that the Spokane County Prosecutor has a considerable amount of immunity from civil litigation if the prosecutor for one reason or another, even in some cases to the point of negligence, if formal charges are not filed within the 72 hour time frame and an individual is released and commits a heinous crime. The law enforcement community does not enjoy the same immunity if they are negligent in not submitting a case to the prosecutor within the 72-hour time frame.
At one point because of the problem with the Spokane County Prosecutor not filing charges within 72 hours in felony cases and amongst claims that they never received a case from law enforcement a specific policy was written requiring the assigned investigator to obtain a written receipt from the prosecutors office which included the date and time of submission and a written signature from the individual receiving the submission. The original receipt was incorporated into the submission documents and was maintained as a part of the police department’s case records. The purpose of the policy, which I understand has since gone by the wayside was to protect the City of Spokane, the Spokane Police Department, and the individual officers from civil litigation that might arise from an individual being released for a lack of filing who then goes out and commits a heinous crime.
Resolution to the 72-hour rule problem requires considerable coordination between the Spokane County Prosecutor, local law enforcement, Probation/ Parole, and the courts. The prosecutor must take the lead in resolving this issue and take into consideration budget, staffing levels and the various affects any resolution might have on the law enforce community, the courts,
and others involved in the criminal justice process.
Telling the local law enforcement community “Okay folks put all of the cases with the real bad guys in this bin and we will look at them” is just plain stupid.
So exactly what are your plans for correcting this issue Mr. Candidate?
ChefGus/ John Olsen on July 23 at 1:36 p.m.
All of the photo’s are available on this version… you just have to click on the hot link at the top of the page “Photos” and there they be.
I have been working for and encouraging Mr Malone for the past months…. waving signs, writing letters to the editor ect… he is a common sense, well grounded guy that sees the need for change and retiring from the AirForce reserves as a Lietenant Col means he does have the management experience, he also has a Master’s in Business administration from EWU. Stand up sorta guy that can and will work with Sheriff Ozzie and Commissioner Mager to keep us from spending money on a new jail instead of services to keep people out of jail. I’d be really a bit reticent to put a person in to this office that has the support of our local police guild…. we need to have effective prosecution of them when needed as well. john
MrNatural on July 23 at 1:52 p.m.
I’m going to write in Tomás de Torquemada
Ron_the_Cop on July 23 at 4:49 p.m.
Seasoned,
I agree with you on the 72 hr statutory arraignment time constraint. This requires the cooperation and coordination between all criminal justice players. These cases need to be triaged so those felony arrests where you really want to keep the suspect in custody so they hit the bricks because they were not arraigned on time. All this does is create more paperwork e.g., having to refile the cases and get arrest warrants and rearrest the suspects.
I come from a system where each CJ player held each other accountable for the most part. If anyone of the candidates are interested I would be willing to share my experiences on how to stop the revolving door and creating extra work for everybody and in some case putting the public at risk.
BTW did you see my last comment in the other thread?
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jul/21/sheriffs-support-falls-in-gray-area/#c173966
Former Sheriff Tony Bamonte has a very good opinion of your previous work.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
Bluesnag on July 24 at 12:59 a.m.
Mr. Bailey:
Obviously you do not know Dave Stevens personally. He has prosecuted over 100 cases and won most of them. Each time he has had a case with Chris Bugbee, he has won. The voters said “No” to Dave Stevens in two prior elections because he was running for judicial positions those times. He did not have the experience to do those jobs. However, he is suited to be a career prosecutor who would not hesitate to prosecute even law enforcement officers like Karl Thompson, because Dave Stevens believes that no one is above the law. This county doesn’t need a defense lawyer like Chris Bugbee to be the elected prosecutor.
Ron_the_Cop on July 24 at 6:32 a.m.
Bluesnag,
I agree. Bugbee and Stevens are on my short list. We don’t need another person who will “retire” in this position like Tucker. We need a leader and a doer. We don’t need a person that will continue with the status quo. There is plenty of work that needs to be done in this town to counter the legal mafia that seems to control to the detriment of the people.
CONCERNEDREADER on July 24 at 11:35 a.m.
Have you actually checked the facts and record and 100 % certain by your statement that Dave Stevens has “won” every case he has had against Bugbee ? I’d check your facts again and especially before you put something like that statement out there ……
Bluesnag on July 24 at 4:51 p.m.
Concernedreader:
Pray tell. Please provide some detail as to what you mean. Mr. Bugbee has never had an acquittal in the few cases he had with Mr. Stevens. To me, that is “won.”
bszottlinger on July 24 at 6:19 p.m.
I see….
Our system of justice has deteriorated to the point that it doesn’t matter whether justice was done, it’s more important who “won” or who “lost”.
That’s just great!!! Especially coming from a couple of lawyers.
Brad Szottlinger
Bluesnag on July 24 at 7:49 p.m.
It is important that justice be done, and to me, it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, but who pays the fee!
Ron_the_Cop on July 24 at 9:41 p.m.
Brad,
Do you get the feeling we have some attys both in and without the prosecutors office dueling it out for position? My vote will go to who convinces me they can change the status quo in the office leftover the the decade of neglect by Tucker.
ultra_litigator on July 24 at 10:11 p.m.
Mr. Bugbee had a case where he represented someone and at the last minute another defense attorney took over the case and went to trial. Bugbee was still technically the attorney of record. The defendant was acquitted. Mr. Bugbee has never prevailed on one of my cases on a motion or in trial, but that doesn’t say much. Very few defense attorneys ever have. He is a very, very good defense attorney and having never prevailed personally on a case that I prosecuted just puts him in the same boat as most other defense attorneys. Prosecutors generaly win and I win more than most. The more interesting question is how many other Spokane prosecutors have done as many trials as I have in the last ten years. I did three felony trials this year before being fired. All three with aggravators and two received exceptional sentences. My record speaks for itself.
bszottlinger on July 25 at 12:40 p.m.
Mr. Stevens:
I admire the fact that you chose to address this forum it most assuredly has put you in a position where individuals who are in the voting decision making process may be able to get some of their questions answered. On the other hand, it would also subject you to criticism if you chose not to respond.
Although at this point I am not completely familiar with the political landscape here in Spokane, it appears to me you along with Mr. Bugbee and Mr. Malone are the front-runners in this race so naturally I have some questions it would be nice to have answered. As the other two front-runners have not made themselves known here, it looks like you are it. I hope you don’t misinterpret my questions as an individual attempting to advocate for one candidate or the other.
As you well know the vast majority of time, a verdict is dependent upon the cards dealt to each side. Prosecutors generally win because they have the best hand. A defense attorney can out-lawyer the hell out of a prosecutor and still lose a motion, or not obtain an acquittal. My concern based primarily on media accounts and the typical rumor mill, which permeates this community, is that in a number of recent cases, some involving law enforcement officers resulted in acquittals even though the cards were well stacked in the prosecutions favor. Bluntly, the assigned prosecutorial staff was out-lawyered. If that is in fact, true how do you intend to rectify the situation for the future?
Having reviewed your website Biography, I was struck by the fact that apparently you have not prosecuted or defended any murder cases or other high profile cases and your experience appears to be primarily in the area of property crimes and domestic violence.
My expectation of an elected County Prosecuting Attorney is that he/she not only efficiently and effectively administers the office, but also has the background, experience, and moxie to handle serious high profile cases something that appears to have been lacking in the office. Mr. Bugbee appears to have the upper hand on the front-runners as far as experience in this area is concerned. How does your LEGAL background more qualify you for the position?
Much has been made of Mr. Bugbee’s endorsement by the Spokane Police Union an endorsement you also sought. I also note that you have been endorsed by a number of Spokane Police Officers. I personally feel organization endorsements are far more strategic than meaningful so I pay little attention to them however some people do. Do you feel given the current climate that endorsement by police officers represents a serious campaign detriment?
Along the same lines, I also note that the various endorsements for both you and Mr. Malone appear to go along party lines. I consider it a given that the defense bar in nearly every venue is primarily liberal so I would expect Mr. Malone to have the a majority of the defense bar endorsements yet I was surprised to see members of the local defense bar whom I know to be quite liberal and far from fans of local law enforcement endorsing Mr. Bugbee. What do you feel endorsements for a conservative candidate by liberal members of the defense bar represents and how does that balance with law enforcement endorsements?
bszottlinger on July 25 at 12:49 p.m.
Continued:
As far as I’m concerned, rhetoric concerning the elimination of plea-bargaining is just that so I won’t even ask the question. The Steven’s plan to target career criminals is of course laudatory but you know as well as anyone that there are so many out there that meet the definition it would be impossible to target all. Beyond the statuary definition what is your specific criterion for targeting career criminals?
Physical impairment makes it very difficult for me to attend debates or forums where I might be able to get answers to my questions and I cannot rely on the media to have them answered for me. Knowing full well of the ramifications, I would have considerable respect for any candidate willing to answer my questions here.
Mr. Wright:
I will answer your question with a question.
Does a bear poop in the woods?
Brad Szottlinger
Panorama on July 25 at 1:10 p.m.
Chris Bugbee donated $100 to Chris Marr on 5/25/2010.
Check it out for yourself at the PDC website.
That raises some red flags for me when someone is running for office as a Republican and then wants to complain about not getting endorsed by the Republican Party.
bszottlinger on July 25 at 1:57 p.m.
Bluesnag:
“it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, but who pays the fee!”
Spoken like a true capitalist. Setting aside the realities of maintaining a practice you may want to review your ethics notes.
Brad
Bluesnag on July 25 at 11:55 p.m.
Brad:
That’s right! Lawyers and Doctors are driven by market forces, and that is not unethical. Last I checked, ethics boards don’t forbid free market economics and profit.
bszottlinger on July 26 at 7:56 a.m.
Touche !
CONCERNEDREADER on July 26 at 10:09 a.m.
The prosecutor should be a bipartisan position - R or D - public safety, charging within 72 hours, and being held accountable and oversight should matter to all, regardless of if you are a R, D or and Indpendant - the best person should get the position, period, regardless of if an R or a D is behind your name on the ticket…..
Bluesnag on July 26 at 11:29 a.m.
Concernedreader:
I agree that elected prosecutors need to be bipartisan positions. Judges are not allowed to show their party preference. It ought to be the same for elected prosecutors and elected public defenders.
bszottlinger on July 26 at 11:50 a.m.
CONCERNEDREADER and Bluesnag
“The prosecutor should be a bipartisan position”
That’s right but it isn’t so independent characters like me have to work our way through all of the typical “I’m better than the other guy because…” as well as all of the party line crap.
To put someone in this position that is a party hard liner either way is a mistake in my mind. The position requires someone who is first and foremost accountable to himself, then to the citizens of the community. Not the party, not the unions, not the sheriff, the police chief, the mayor, or anyone else.
Though I’m not always quick to grasp the obvious I think I’ve got you two figured out, I’m leaning Bugbee because among other things it looks like your guy is a party hard liner so convince me otherwise Bluesnag.
Brad
Bluesnag on July 26 at 9:32 p.m.
Hi, Brad,
I’m not sure what you mean by party hardliner, I assume you mean typical Republican beliefs? Btw, I’m not a Republican, but independent. I’m convinced by what Stevens has indicated both by his record and his statements to me that he is a person of his word who does not believe that anyone is above the law, including Officer Karl Thompson in the Otto Zehm tragedy. Stevens (as opposed to Tucker) would have prosecuted him.
Mr. Bugbee, as a career defense lawyer has used his training in the Prosecutor’s Office to make himself a good defense lawyer. He has sought low bond amounts for his clients so they could be easily be released into the community. We as voters need to ask ourselves, “Do we want a criminal defense attorney to be our elected prosecutor?” Mr. Stevens is a true prosecutor. It is not any wonder that the local defense bar has endorsed Bugbee and Malone. If either of them is elected prosecutor, they can be assured of getting great deals for their clients. Mr. Stevens was known as “No Deal Dave” in the prosecutor’s office. Repeat offenders, when they found out that Stevens was the prosecutor on their case, sought to get another prosecutor. When Mr. Stevens was successful in a conviction, and after the defendants served their sentences, they often MOVED AWAY from Spokane County. I don’t believe for a moment that any career criminal would take Bugbee or Malone seriously. That, my friend, is not being a Party Hard Liner, but being seriously about doing the prosecutor’s job properly. End of my pitch for why I sincerely believe that Mr. Stevens is the best choice.
bszottlinger on July 27 at 8:41 a.m.
Bluesnag:
I’ll try and address your points in the order you provided.
Mr. Stevens is the Vice Chair of the Spokane County Republican Party and received their endorsement. Whether or not he is a party hardliner, I don’t know, but I would think it might be difficult to be a Vice Chair receive their endorsement and not be in some way beholding to them.
Officer Thompson has yet to have his day in court. The media coverage thus far, to me anyway, demonstrates a very slipshod investigation at best on the part of the Spokane Police Department.
It is the duty and responsibility of the prosecutor to see to it that the investigation of every case is professional, ethical, fair, and complete. Something that it would appear Mr. Tucker’s administration did not have the ability or perhaps the wherewithal to accomplish not only in the Thompson case but a number of others as well. This alone would convince me not to vote for Mr. Tucker. At this late date, it would be easy for each of the candidates apposing Tucker to say they would have hung Mr. Thompson by the toes so I’m not impressed by that claim. If I were a candidate the answer I would give when questioned in that regard would be that, “I was not privy to the investigative file so I cannot make a judgment as to the direction I would go with respect to prosecuting Officer Thompson. However based on the media accounts surfacing from the federal trial regarding the investigation I most certainly would have required factual answers to a number of questions before I made any decision to prosecute.”
I like your point that Mr. Bugbee using his training as a prosecutor has become a very good defense attorney and I believe Mr. Stevens on this very thread described Bugbee as a very, very good defense attorney. My experience has been that the very best prosecutors have come from a very good defense background. It affords them the experience to anticipate criminal defenses and strategy, and differentiate between a good investigation and a poor one. I would like to see whoever is elected use all of their background and experience including a defense background to become a very, very good prosecutor.
I would expect any defense lawyer to advocate for low bonds for their clients it is their duty and responsibility. If you are a lawyer, you know the bond or bail game. The prosecution goes high the defense low and the judge decides. If you have a beef regarding bonds look to the elected judiciary
bszottlinger on July 27 at 8:44 a.m.
Continued:
A deal is a deal and sometimes making one is in the best interest of justice and the community. The idea that “No Deal Dave” is going to eliminate deals is absurd. A prosecutor makes deals based on the strength of their case, the cost to the community, and in the interest of justice. If a prosecutor is elected that demands investigative accountability, determined case preparation and accountability from his staff then you are likely to see not only less deals but also less trials.
I’m at a loss for how a defendant in this jurisdiction “sought to get another prosecutor” can you Writ a prosecutor here? If so how many times was Mr. Stevens the subject of a writ?
If all of the criminals Mr. Stevens prosecuted moved out of town, which I doubt, can you supply factual data in that regard?
The exercise of excellent judgment in the office of prosecutor is of paramount importance, and frankly, I would question the judgment of Mr. Stevens posting on this blog even if it were just to clarify his record against Bugbee, something that is better left to the surrogates.
Just to clarify I too am an independent. I am not anyone’s surrogate, and I have not given my kiss of death to any of the candidates. I feel this is an important race so I have questions. I’m sure anyone would be correct in an assumption that at this point it appears I will likely vote for Bugbee.
Brad Szottlinger
Bluesnag on July 27 at 2:56 p.m.
Brad,
You deserve the candidate you vote for. Bugbee can defend a double murderer with the “pathological intoxication” defense, and tell us with a straight face that he is concerned about public safety. Unbelievable.
ultra_litigator on July 27 at 6:59 p.m.
Admired if I post and judgment questioned if I post. I can’t win. I don’t like facts that I have privy to being distorted such as whether Mr. Bugbee has ever beat me in court. I’d rather answer questions by email or on my FB page because I certainly don’t like the flame wars that seem to go on in these blogs and don’t need to be caught up in one.
I never said that I’d eliminate plea bargaining. If you go to my FB page I have a note that addresses the problems I see from plea bargaining done to excess and without reason.
I have had a defendant bring a motion for a new prosecutor because he said “I had it in for him.” It didn’t go anywhere because the reason I had it in for him was his horrific criminal history.
I have also had defendants say that they were leaving the county because they knew I had their number. Never saw them on a docket again, so I tend to believe them.
I never said I’d prosecute Thompson. I didn’t see the investigation. I do understand from what I read in a follow up story, it was brought to light that the incumbant either missed facts and it was implied that he would have acted differently if he’d known them.
Gotta go hit the gym. Email me at David_Stevens@davidstevens.com if you have questions. You can always call me on my cell at 869-4547. I don’t check these blogs often, so those are the best ways to get answers to any questions you have.
bszottlinger on July 27 at 9:18 p.m.
Mr. Stevens:
Very admirable sir. It does take some fortitude to subject yourself to characters like me who have time on their hands, and as the old saying goes “Just enough knowledge to be dangerous”.
Brad
rapidfire on July 28 at 7:24 a.m.
After my son’s car was stolen and stripped in December and mine stolen in March I asked the police officers why there were so many auto thefts in Spokane. They stated that although an auto is stolen approximately every 4 hours in Spokane, it is not a high priority for the police to apprehend a car thief and not a priority to prosecute them.
Then I met an energetic and motivated man who said that will all change when he becomes the County Prosecutor. Dave Stevens believes that the thefts are an ongoing symptom of the lax attitude that this county has had on property crimes. Dave is dedicated to prosecute the thieves and dissuading them from being residents anywhere but the county jail. Bruce
bszottlinger on July 28 at 2:11 p.m.
Mr. Stevens:
My understanding of you is that you are a very honest, ethical, and an all-around nice guy. I respect that and would hope that you consider what I have to say here regardless of the fact that I will most likely be voting for Mr. Bugbee.
A candidate for any office never has total control over their supporters. We all find ourselves zealous when it comes to supporting our candidates and on occasion overly so. Having spent several years in government service, I found it sometimes necessary to council subordinates on the use of their time and government resources for personal and political agendas. I feel the same tact may be useful to a political hopeful. Sometimes a good talking to is all that is needed.
I don’t feel any candidate who has a supporter who has exercised poor judgment by using government time and resources to support their candidate on this blog reflects well on their campaign. But as I explained earlier, it isn’t the candidate’s fault. I’m especially concerned when the supporter under the circumstances I’ve described chastises an opponent for what they consider feeding at the public trough. It’s also disconcerting when an individual making an attack on Mr. Bugbee may have to work with the Spokane County Prosecutors Office during cases involving an interest to both organizations should Mr. Bugbee win.
I am confident that if the scenario I have described is accurate you will take steps to correct it.
Brad
ultra_litigator on July 28 at 11:05 p.m.
@Brad
How many assumptions are in your post.
bszottlinger on July 29 at 7:26 a.m.
None,
And as you can see he handled it well. It’s better left as it is.
CONCERNEDREADER on August 04 at 10:03 a.m.
I saw that somehow I am being presumed to be a Steven’s supporter - no way - no how - My vote went to Chris Bugbee - sent in my ballot on Monday !
bszottlinger on August 04 at 1:43 p.m.
CONCERNEDREADER:
If you thought it was me that presumed you to be a Steven’s supporter, you’re wrong.
BTW, Good Choice!