In brief: State facilities must notify of escapees
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill Friday requiring administrators at state institutions to notify authorities, victims, family members and others when people held in state care escape.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Parker, R-Spokane, was prompted by last fall’s escape of criminally insane killer Phillip A. Paul during a field trip of Eastern State Hospital patients to the Spokane Interstate Fair.
Parker said he was contacted by the daughter of Paul’s victim, who asked him to ensure the measure passed.
The legislation passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
Under the bill, administrators of state facilities will be required to notify family members, victims, witnesses to a crime, and local law enforcement when a person under the state’s care escapes or disappears.
Sara Leaming
Woman rescued from spouse at crash site
An estranged Spokane couple shut down U.S. Highway 95 near Athol, Idaho, on Friday after police say the man held the woman hostage at knife point.
Damien L. Bunch, 27, was arrested after police investigating a crash about 7:15 a.m. found him holding Deanna Lafrombois, 29, at knife point inside a car at milepost 444, the Idaho State Police reported.
Police rescued Lafrombois after about 30 minutes of negotiating with Bunch. Lafrombois was taken to Kootenai Medical Center with knife wounds, police said.
Bunch faces charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and possession of methamphetamine. He’s already on probation in Spokane County after pleading guilty to harassment in December. He was credited for 58 days served in jail.
In February, Bunch and Lafrombois petitioned for divorce, according to news archives.
Bunch also has convictions in Spokane for domestic violence harassment and first-degree criminal trespass from 2007.
Meghann M. Cuniff
Daylight saving could delay paper delivery
Due to the time change, The Spokesman-Review’s home delivery carriers could be up to an hour late in some areas Sunday morning. We apologize for any inconvenience.
From staff reports