Spokane7
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July 28, 2010 in City
Hoopfest suspects face attempted murder charges
Four men arrested after a shooting at Hoopfest each have been charged with 12 murder-related felonies.
Miguel C. Garcia, 19; Adam Doe, 19; Marquis D. Johnson, 21; and Rashjel C. “Reggie” Cage, 23, all are in custody. Garcia, Doe and Cage appeared in Superior Court this afternoon via video from Spokane County Jail; Johnson is in the Benton County Jail in Kennewick.
The men are charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, 10 counts of attempted first-degree murder and single counts of riot and unlawful possession of a firearm. First-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault are included as alternative charges.
Doe also is charged with third-degree assault after a Spokane police officer said the teen struggled violently as he was being detained just minutes after the shooting.
The charges come a month after police say Garcia fired a gun on Spokane Falls Boulevard during the Hoopfest basketball tournament, injuring three bystanders.
The charges allege Garcia, Doe, Johnson and Cage committed the crimes “to obtain or maintain” their membership or to advance their positions “in the hierarchy of an organization, association, or identifiable group.”
The men were fighting with rival gang members June 26 when witnesses said Cage passed a handgun to Garcia, who fired it at least thee times, according to court documents. Garcia then reportedly passed the gun to Doe, who was arrested at gunpoint after trying to flee the scene, police said.
An off-duty Spokane police detective saw the shooting and followed the men as on-duty officers swarmed the area.
Doe was prohibited from leaving his home unless accompanied by his parents or going to school, according to a judge’s order related to riot and assault charges stemming from a stabbing last fall.
Johnson, released from prison June 6 after serving three years for a shooting, was identified “as being present at the time of the shooting in close proximity to Cage and Garcia,” according to court documents. “They were both actively involved in the argument before and after the shooting.”
Kalen J. Bedford, who was arrested the day of the shooting on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, apparently was targeted by the gunfire – he is listed as the intended victim in a fist-degree attempted murder charge.
Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Steve Garvin could not be reached for comment. Garcia’s lawyer, David Partovi, said he’ll likely challenge probable cause for the charges “but I also think the charges will change over time.
“The government is upset and I’m not sure I blame them,” Partovi said. “Gang shootings are not in the spirit of Hoopfest.”
Human trafficking suspects released 
JayNW on July 28 at 11:13 p.m.
so how does a gang member with no job have the money to hire an attorney? an interesting quote from an advertisement page of this defense guy,,,
“At Partovi Law, P.S., we know that no one is as bad as the worst thing they have ever done. We are dogged investigators who will work to uncover the details of your side of the story and create a cohesive picture of what really happened and who you really are beyond the charges you are facing.
Most criminal defendants suffer from a lack of empathy in the courtroom. The prosecutor, the judge and the jury may simply see you as being no more than the charges you are facing and whatever criminal record you may or may not have. Nobody empathizes with a charge and a criminal history; that’s the whole point. We bring you back from being a printout and make you someone that can be understood as a person. Someone whose struggles and predicament is one the court can understand, believe in, and have empathy for.”
A lack of empathy??? Are you serious? How about a lack of conscience by these thugs? Damn right I don’t have empathy for these jerks. Who does? I’m curious as to what side of Garcia’s story could really show we don’t already have the story. I mean, its not like he needed to act in self defense. He and the others blatantly showed disregard for hundreds, if not thousands of good people, young children included, who wanted to do something fun and positive with their lives. Almost sickening that someone would defend these thugs just to make a buck. Absolutely pathetic.
I’m glad to see no mercy shown here by our prosecutors office. Lets continue to be aggressive with these kind of punks and keep our communities safe. They obviously had no regard for anyone, even small innocent children that could have been killed. Is a blue or red rag really worth that?
flutieflakes on July 29 at 12:01 a.m.
It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it…
flutieflakes on July 29 at 12:04 a.m.
And as for “Is a blue or red rag really worth that?”, yes, apparently it is for some people. Crips have been killing bloods and vice-versa since the 80’s.
davepartovi on August 03 at 7:42 p.m.
JayNW, thank you for the opportunity to respond on an important issue to our community.
First of all that’s not an advertisement it’s my website, thanks for visiting it. I wrote that content because I believe it. Empathy is different than sympathy. You shouldn’t feel sorry for any of my clients anymore than they should feel sorry for you if you have one too many and drive home feeling totally sober at a .091 blood alcohol concentration. Empathy, however, is just understanding that the person you are judging is a human. Civilized society requires as much.
Second of all, let me say that I think you are right and I honestly agree with your point. Gangs are new-ish to Spokane and we are all justified in being angry about it. These cases are complicated at least in the fact that they require — in a republic founded on justice — that the rules are followed and everybody gets treated fairly. Re-read my quote; I understand where the government is coming from. Nobody is looking for or getting a bye on this one, we’re just going to work every day to implement the Constitution.