Spokane7
65°
August 18, 2011 in City
Jury clears firefighter Chism of all charges
Had faced four felonies, misdemeanor for fight with WSP troopers
COLVILLE – A Stevens County jury exonerated suspended Spokane Firefighter Todd Chism tonight of four felony counts and a misdemeanor stemming from a confrontation in 2010 that injured two Washington State Patrol troopers.
Chism – who was exonerated in 2008 in a botched child pornography investigation by the WSP – faced two felony assault charges, two felony charges of disarming law enforcement officers and one count of misdemeanor resisting arrest following the incident in the early morning of April 6, 2010, outside Chism’s home off Highway 291.
On Thursday, Chism told the jurors he had spent the evening with friends before backing his diesel Dodge Ram pickup down his driveway so they could leave. When he pulled off the road, his truck got stuck and ran out of fuel about midnight.
Passersby reported what they thought was a crash. Chism said he returned to the truck a couple hours later, after having a few drinks, and was attempting to start the truck when firefighters arrived. Shortly thereafter, Trooper Greg Riddell arrived and he began questioning Chism, who smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.
Trooper Greg Birkeland then arrived to relieve Riddell, who was about to go off shift; Birkeland made a comment about Chism’s name being familiar. At that point, the stories completely diverged.
Chism – a lieutenant before his supension – said Birkeland’s comment angered him. He said the troopers began threatening him and then shot him with a Taser. Chism went down and then began to struggle with the troopers.
“I was trying to protect myself. I was trying to get a hand up to my head because I couldn’t breathe,” he said. “I didn’t try to harm anybody.”
The troopers described a rolling battle in which they shocked Chism – a two-time state champion Golden Gloves boxer – at least seven times with a taser and punched him in the head after they claim he grabbed Riddell’s thumb and twisted it until it tore ligaments.
Attorneys showed the jury photos both of Riddell’s surgically repaired thumb; and a photo taken in the ambulance of Chism with a grossly swollen forehead, his eye was swollen shut, and blood was coming from multiple wounds including both nostrils.
“I was in shock,” Chism said. “I felt the same thing was happening – that I was being falsely accused. And, I was getting angry. I said some things I’m not proud of.”
Troopers made a public showing of a search warrant in 2008 at Chism’s home after they received allegations he possessed child pornography. The investigation revealed – some four months later – that the pornography had been purchased by someone who had stolen Chism’s credit card.
In response, he filed a $12 million lawsuit in federal court against the WSP. That case was dismissed in January, 2010, just months before his latest encounter with the troopers.
In closing arguments, Deputy Ferry County Prosecutor Mike Golden told the jury that Chism was further upset because he recently learned about his lawsuit being dismissed. But Chism caused the melee because he didn’t comply, Golden argued.
“The pictures look like he got beat up,” Golden said. “If you pick a fight with two guys in body armor, you are going to get some scrapes on you.”
But defense attorney Carl Oreskovich – who was prohibited from telling the jury that Birkeland lied when he testified in his own trial for drinking-related charges in 2004 – said his client only wanted to talk until troopers became physical.
“If you feel like you were falsely accused of a crime, got beaten up and you just (defecated) yourself, don’t you think you would have some anger?” he asked the jury. “He reacts to a use of force and tries to defend himself. Do justice. This man has been through enough. I ask you to find him not guilty.”
1992 murder trial begins against sex offender 
NancyAP on August 18 at 10:35 p.m.
I don’t think I would want a man who would leave a vehicle stranded in a ditch or at the side of a road and go drinking or one who would use such poor judgement as to get into a smart-ass comment fight with the cops or troopers, whomever the authority is, to be working for me in a job that demands as much danger to self and others as a firefighter’s does. Or as a cop or deputy job demands. They must have better self control and judgement. Perhaps too many hot-heads are in these jobs. I have several relatives in the firefighter/paramedic jobs to want the likes of these Spokane men to be the ones who are ‘helping’ me. My husband has had to call for help from our sheriff/911 system several times in the past 4 or 5 years and they have been super, I thank them all, we are fortunate to have such a superb force and many kudos to Sheriff Knezovich for his work in cleaning up the good old boy system that was here in the past. I know we still have people from those times here but hopefully with people like him in charge, those people will retire or move on. Pardon me if I have misspelled the sheriff’s last name, again.
PlanB on August 18 at 11:07 p.m.
Wow.
Thank goodness our legal system allows “peers” to be total utter morons.
MichelleAdkins on August 19 at 1:00 a.m.
Before you’re so quick to judge & let your ignorance to get the best of you…KNOW THE WHOLE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!! The nightmare started in 2008 in the mistake & fault of the wsp for Todd & his family. Officer’s we’re fired & demoted at that time. Today’s trial was all because the wsp was trying to “cover up” their mistakes from 2008 because their badges & names we’re tarnished & STILL we’re trying make Todd the fall guy. Lies upon lies, the “good ole’ boys club”. The wsp is out for revenge because Todd is suing the state of WA & the wsp for the 2008 HUGE MISTAKE they made. Go back to the archives, read them! I dare ya! It all started with ID theft & Internet fraud. This could happen to you!! Todd IS a role model citizen, father & husband that got a bad rap. Seriously, reflect on your own mistakes before you judges others!
ljcyork27 on August 19 at 2:32 a.m.
Wow Nancy, please don’t let it be that heaven forbid that you or your husband place a call to 911 and Mr.Chism shows up to assist you and he does nothing short of saving your life or your home and you too have to recant your words also! To Plan B, I have served jury duity and been choosen twice and I am proud to say I am one to choose the side of the under dog or rather to make other jurrors realise just because the person “of authority” says so dosent make it just!!! In the end they too are only human and they too hate to be humilated in any way and they are capeable of glorifying and embelishing the truth!!!!!!
idahocity on August 19 at 5:53 a.m.
thank goodness we still have juries in this country, the peoples ultimate check and balance on government.
westerly on August 19 at 8:14 a.m.
Got to remember, he is from a small town and is a hero in Stevens county.
westerly on August 19 at 8:34 a.m.
Does Spokane fire get him back? At hundreds of thousands of back pay?
horse_feathers on August 19 at 9:01 a.m.
Too bad Chism cannot get a Restraining Order against WSP.
opiemuyo on August 19 at 9:10 a.m.
Smells like poo on both sides, I choose to believe neither tale.
The_Seer on August 19 at 9:32 a.m.
What makes Chism a hero in Suncrest? I know lots of people in the Nine Mile Falls area and some of them think he’s a real A-hole. Didn’t he also receive a D.U.I. charge recently? Again?
In the original search of Chism’s home in 2008 drugs were found and he wasn’t charged, nor were any members of his family. What’s up with that?
liberal_in_right_wing_land on August 19 at 9:48 a.m.
I have come to the conclusion that most law enforcement officers, especially the pathetic Washington State Patrol, are just the pathetic losers who were the bullies and thought they were better than everyone else during high school. Since they cannot act like this in any other job they have to become loser police officers so they can continue to bully and beat up on people and not get in trouble for it.
I trust all law enforcement officers about as far as I could throw their fat a@@es.
misjustice on August 19 at 10:43 a.m.
The Chism tale just gets curiouser and curiouser…
MichelleAdkins on August 19 at 1:53 p.m.
Thank you to all the POSITIVE people!!!! To the ones who left negative comments…PULL YOU HEADS OUT OF THE SAND! As far as Todd being a a-hole in 9 mile, hummmmm NOT!! And, ask yourself this….”How would I be with my attitude with all Todd & his family have been through”, Maybe someone caught him on a bad day….Try living in his shoes just one day since Jan. 2008. Bottom line….The wsp made a huge mistake in 2008 & they admitted it!!!! Todd is a very loving kind hearted man; wonderful Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Nephew, Friend, & Co-worker! A REAL MAN with integerty & class….Everyone deserves a chance to recover & I ask you,….Wouldn’t you want that same fairness?…Like I said, before you pass judgement, reflect on your own life long mistakes you’ve made….
God Bless Todd & his family!!
Blessing2Todd on August 19 at 8:39 p.m.
For those who don’t understand what can happen when falsely charged for something so heinous as possessing child porn, I invite you to read the article below. Ignorance is bliss until it’s YOU and YOUR FAMILY who’s lives are torn apart so recklessly.
http://www.framedforchildporn.com/
The_Seer on August 20 at 8:01 a.m.
michelle; How come there were drugs in the Chism home when the search warrant was executed? That fact is in all the police reports that are now public record. And I know a lot of people in Suncrest and Nine Mile (including fire fighters and cops) who think Todd is a complete A-hole and anything but a “real man.”
The_Seer on August 20 at 4:47 p.m.
I guess “real men” are now alcoholics who REPEATEDLY and selfishly endanger the lives of others driving while intoxicated.
Gotcha, Michelle. What a great example for his children too. Let’s elect Todd Suncrest Father of the Year.
His entire story/excuse doesn’t make sense anyway. Have you been to his home? Why would all the cars of his “friends” who were visiting be blocked by one of his vehicles? How would they have made it down his driveway if his truck was blocking their exit? It’s not like Chism’s driveway is a short jaunt to the curb, but a winding uphill journey (to an elaborately gated entrance) that opens onto a state highway and a blind corner where the speed limit is 50 mph. No one backs up their rig to let their “friends” out of the driveway in those conditions, especially when room exists to turnaround in the driveway.
ljcyork27 on August 21 at 8:59 p.m.
Wholy smokes it sounds like The Seer is just a tad bit of a busy body know it all who obvoiusly lives in the neighborhood or may be a prior aquaintence of the Chisms and is simply green with envy over the life Todd and his wife have made for themselves? More than likely mabey The_Seer is a disgruntled cop who mabey has been fired from his job as a cop himself over say…. drug use? I know of a case of a Spokane police officer who has recently lost his job because of his drug use! I may be way off the mark about you BUT foolish one I too believe you are WAY OFF YOUR MARK ALSO ABOUT JUDGING MR. CHISM!!!! Have you walked in his shoes??? I believe not
misjustice on August 21 at 9:05 p.m.
^ trust me, you are wrong about Seer…
MichelleAdkins on August 22 at 1:34 a.m.
The Seer Is obviously jealous of Todd, his home & his success…Like I said, live in his shoes just one day since 2008. Seer, you’re not worth giving a response to…Get a life & come out from hiding if your a REAL MAN….Doubtful….
Blessing2Todd on August 27 at 9:34 a.m.
Copied from another website:
Summary: Yahoo! notified the State patrol that Chism’s credit card was used to start two child porn web sites and the first customers to access the web sites used the same credit card. The addresses given for that card were from Bolivia and Chile, but that info was omitted in the warrant. Bank of America gave incorrect info that the Chisms didn’t file a claim that their card was stolen. Officers omitted other info and lied to get the warrant, which was drawn up by someone in the Spokane County Prosecutor’s office that isn’t a lawyer. Later, the State Patrol beats the P waddins out of Chism and arrests him for assault to their hands with his face, and DUI, even though he wasn’t driving and his truck was parked, so to speak, and out of fuel. In addition, the State Patrol and the Spokane County Prosecutor’s office smeared his name all over the media, and cost him his good name, as well as losing his job and income, and costing him thousands in legal fees. There ya go.
brianrbreen on August 27 at 9:44 a.m.
@Blessing2Todd
The Spokane County Prosecutors Office had nothing what so ever to do with the either case, it was the Thurston County Prosecutors Office, and the Stevens County Prosecutors Office.
Blessing2Todd on August 28 at 12:37 p.m.
Everyone in my family told me not to look at the picture of Todd when he was in the ER. After the nightmare is hopefully fading, I thought I could handle it, I was SO wrong.
To each FILTHY LOUSE that laid a hand on my nephew, I hope the cancer that lives in your soul spreads to the rest of your body and eats you slowly, I hope your days on earth are long and filled with agony, I hope you suffer unimaginably, I hope when you lay your rotted head down to rest each night that the last thing you see is Todd’s face, beaten and bloody, I hope that what my nephew suffered at YOUR FILTHY hands comes back on you 1000 fold, I hope you’re hunted down like the scumbag dogs you are and that you never know a SINGLE moments peace. I hope the last thing you see when you take your last breath is Todd’s face, I hope you’re turned into the deepest bowels of hell where you belong.
I can now say, without reservation or regret, that I hate you so badly that there is NO room for forgiveness for you and one other hope–I hope your entire family is touched by the same horror, pain, and suffering you put Todd and our family through.
I WILL NEVER EVER TRUST ANOTHER COP AS LONG AS I LIVE!!!