In brief: Rape suspect kills himself

A Spokane man on trial for rape killed himself at his home during a break in court proceedings Thursday, court officials said.

Harvey S. Marshall, 49, was charged with third-degree rape for an alleged incident in August 2008; the alleged victim was known to him, according to court documents.

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza dismissed the charge on Thursday after Harvey fatally shot himself while at home during a lunch break before closing arguments were set to begin. The jury trial began Monday.

Marshall was arrested in February 2009 but was out of jail on bond.

The Spokesman-Review typically does not identify suicide victims, but Marshall’s death halted a public proceeding.

Meghann M. Cuniff

‘Take back’ old, unwanted meds

Dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications at a “take back” event sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration today.

The event is aimed at getting potentially dangerous drugs out of circulation before they can be misused.

The service, free and anonymous, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at numerous collection sites in and around Spokane and Kootenai counties. For a list, go to www. deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ takeback.

Staff reports

Airport board seeks member

Spokane city and county officials are recruiting candidates to replace longtime Spokane Airport Board member Irv Reed.

Reed said he is ready to step down now that a major runway-extension project is nearing completion. He plans to leave by Dec. 31.

He joined the airport board and served a year as interim airport director after retiring in 1996 as Spokane’s director of planning and engineering services. Before that, Reed was an Air Force brigadier general.

Reed’s position on the Airport Board is a joint appointment of Spokane and Spokane County.

County commissioners ask candidates who want their support to apply by 1 p.m. Oct. 15. For information, contact Ginna Vasquez at (509) 477-2265 or gvasquez@ spokanecounty.org.

City application forms are available in the mayor’s or City Council offices at City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., or at www. spokanecity.org/ government/bcc.