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November 8, 2010 in Region
Trial starts for 4 accused of aiding in Lakewood killings
TACOMA — Lawyers presented opening arguments today in Tacoma in the trial of four people accused of helping Lakewood police killer Maurice Clemmons.
Pierce County prosecutors charged Rickey Hinton, Eddie Lee Davis, Douglas Edward Davis, and Letrecia Nelson with rendering criminal assistance.
The News Tribune reports they are accused of providing Clemmons with transportation, tending his gunshot wound and lying to investigators after the Nov. 29 shooting in Parkland. All pleaded not guilty.
Two women have already been convicted of helping Clemmons and sentenced to five year in prison.
The accused getaway driver, Darcus Allen goes on trial in March on aggravated murder charges.
Clemmons was killed two days after the murders.
Information from the News Tribune.
© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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lewis8457 on November 08 at 2:32 p.m.
And still we wait for Otto Zehms murderers to see a court of law. Sadly there is a APPARENT double standard.
This happened last year, Otto was killed 5 years ago. Steve Tucker said it may take 8-9 months to find out if Hirzel needs to be prosecuted for the Creach murder. But if you or someone you know kills a cop you will be down for the count within 6 months.
Orange on November 08 at 3:00 p.m.
Otto or Creach wasn’t mentioned in this article. Stay on topic.
Glad to see all who helped this guy are seeing their day in court.
misjustice on November 08 at 4:00 p.m.
I think that Lewis has a valid point relating to the double standard of how swiftly the “justice” system CAN work and how, in some cases, it doesn’t.
cpd805 on November 08 at 7:56 p.m.
Lewis and Mis,
The “swiftness” in these cases have nothing to do with any “double standard”. In the Clemons case, the evidence as to the criminal nature of Clemons’ actions are obvious, based on definitive physical and eyewitness evidence, which makes the case a “slam dunk”. Of course this case will move swiftly.
With the Zehm case, he was a criminal suspect at the time who got into a physical confrontation with police (although LATER found to be not criminally culpable, he was a criminal suspect AT THE TIME). The evidence in this case is more convoluted and speculative in nature, and the criminality of Thompson’s actions are much less obvious compared to Clemons’ actions. This is not to say that Thompson’s actions were definitely not criminal, but it is just less obvious.
My assertion here is evidenced with the delay in prosecution based on a ruling by Judge Van Sickle regarding “evidence” that would be considered inconsequential for the Clemons’ prosecution. Sounds like the prosecution’s case against Thompson is very weak compared to the prosecution’s case agains Clemons.
By the way, has anyone heard of any determination into the death at the Mallon House? This case was similar to Thompson’s in that a criminal suspect got into a physical confrontation and died as a result. I haven’t heard of any charges filed in that case, and last I checked, that guy was not law enforcement. Again, the criminal culpability is not so obvious.
misjustice on November 08 at 8:08 p.m.
@ cpd; A “criminal suspect”? It was my understanding that the deceased was a resident of the group home. Not a “criminal suspect”.
I understand, it’s difficult not to view everyone as a potential “criminal suspect”.
BTW; I promise, I use my turn signals faithfully now!
cpd805 on November 08 at 10:26 p.m.
Mis, glad to hear of your use of the turn signals….
Yes, the guy at the Mallon House was a “criminal suspect” in that he was accused of assault and disorderly conduct and had to be physically restrained in order to prevent him from hurting others.