Spokane7
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September 22, 2011 in City
Second officer under investigation in Zehm case identified
With the excessive force trial of a Spokane police officer less than a month away, the identity of a second officer under active federal investigation in connection with the fatal confrontation with Otto Zehm has been confirmed.
Senior Spokane police Officer Sandra McIntyre already has testified before a federal grand jury that indicted fellow officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. She now faces a potential obstruction of justice charge based on her testimony, according to her attorney and others familiar with the ongoing probe.
“She is telling them what she knows,” said McIntyre’s attorney, Rob Cossey. “But they think she has more information.”
Cossey said he doesn’t expect federal prosecutors to decide whether to file charges against his client until after the conclusion of Thompson’s trial in U.S. District Court, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 11. He confirmed that McIntyre has received a “target letter” from the U.S. Justice Department indicating that potential obstruction charges are being pursued against her in connection with the fatal 2006 encounter.
The first indication that federal officials were investigating multiple Spokane police officers in connection with the Zehm fatality came in court records filed in 2009 by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Durkin. Later court documents indicated that a federal grand jury had begun hearing evidence of alleged police obstruction in April 2010.
“They are not focusing on Sandy. They are focusing on the trial,” Cossey said of federal prosecutors. “My concern is whatever happens in the trial that she becomes more of a focus.”
Currently, only Thompson faces felony charges of using excessive force and lying to investigators following the March 18, 2006, confrontation with Zehm, who was struck with a police baton multiple times and jolted with a Taser. The 36-year-old mentally ill janitor, who was mistakenly identified as a possible thief, stopped breathing while he was hog-tied with a mask on his face. He died two days later.
Asked if he believed the target letter and companion investigation into McIntyre was a tactic by federal investigators to compel her testimony, Cossey agreed.
“They want certain people to testify a certain way. She’s going to tell the truth, regardless.”
Cossey represents four officers connected to the Zehm investigation.
“The only one I’m concerned about is Sandy … in how the feds are looking at her,” he said.
Durkin, the federal prosecutor, said he could not comment about any aspect of the Zehm investigation.
Frank Harrill, supervisory senior resident agent for the Spokane office of the FBI, said he was unable “to comment about any aspect of this matter.” Thompson’s defense attorney, Carl Oreskovich, also declined comment.
1992 murder trial begins against sex offender 
Ron_the_Cop on September 22 at 2:51 a.m.
There is extensive comment thread in the earlier version of this article:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/21/office-under-federal-investigation-zehm-case/
Ron_the_Cop on September 22 at 6:54 a.m.
The ineptness and incompetence of police leadership, the City Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Mayor is going to costs WE THE TAXPAYERS millions of dollars not only in this case by Det. Harvey too and others. Attorney Bob Dunn who never takes a case he can’t win is going to clean up again.
ENOUGH already -
WAKE UP SPOKANE!
WE THE PEOPLE - An American Spring!
A way forward - see my post
Mayor, City Attorney and Police Chief now implicated in Zehm death cover up (Spokane, WA) http://tinyurl.com/3mu2edv
Ron_the_Cop on September 22 at 6:56 a.m.
sorry typos - costs = cost by = but
Liberty_Bell on September 22 at 7:19 a.m.
Ron the Cop,
The newest state employment stats; look at the opportunities!
Our employment security department is looking for workers too, with jobs offered across the state, from Walla Walla to Monroe, including points in between the two too.
The old Equal Opportunity Employees Union, and their collective bargain, filling our prison system, with that “Hope and Change we can Live with.”
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/21/1834000/accused-pierce-county-sheriffs.html
The_Seer on September 22 at 7:43 a.m.
Another Rob Cossey client… why doesn’t the guild just put this schiester on the payroll?
On another note…. I bet he’ll have at least half a dozen other clients before this whole mess is over.
I’m glad I decided to pursue this story as a documentary film subject. There is no way I could write this stuff and people would believe it.
Albert on September 22 at 9:43 a.m.
Seer…are you really making a film documentary? If so, this will be nothing short of outstanding. I truly hope that you will let us know when it’s available.
On another good note…the Fed’s are finally getting into a serious mode about the SPD (Slay People Daily). Like Ron has clearly stated, the muck will be revealed to the top of the pile.
Ron for Mayor…Seer’s documentary for an Emmy!!!!
jddavis on September 22 at 10:17 a.m.
Seer—re-post the link to your documentary. It is worth looking at even if it unfinished.
PlanB on September 22 at 11:07 a.m.
Doesn’t make me feel good that Cossey insists his client will tell the truth - what she believes to be ‘truth’ likely will likely have little to do with what actually occurred.
BitofBacon on September 22 at 11:42 a.m.
Yes, we can hardly wait to see the documentary-I’m sure it will present a completely unbiased version of what happened.
Squid on September 22 at 12:32 p.m.
Pretty sure the documentary will be a lot closer to the truth than the SPD version we have been getting for over 5 years….. Or any version of truth on any police matter…… Or any version of the truth on anything having to do with any police on anything. Police are paid to lie. Never saw a police report that wasn’t at least 50% lies, and 100% drama.
BitofBacon on September 22 at 1:31 p.m.
@Squid-pretty sure I don’t care what you think.
Squid on September 22 at 2:16 p.m.
Awww…. You’re makin’ me cry. It’s not just me though. In case you haven’t noticed, there is a new article in the paper almost every day about all the lies that come out, Itty Bitty Bacon. Are ya taking your frustrations out on your wife, kids, or just the public?
BitofBacon on September 22 at 2:40 p.m.
@Squid-I have no frustrations to take out. Just expressing a private citizen’s opinion. I am so sorry to disappoint you.
brianrbreen on September 22 at 3:28 p.m.
Bits,
You are a dumb sh*t. I guess because you have never had the opportunity to walk a beat and have a couple of guys kicking your ass and you are grabbing your gun to keep it away from them and some cop hater like lewis, or some ex-cons step in and see your getting your ass kicked so they even it up, not because they like cops, only because you treated them just like everyone else.
Can you grab that?
BitofBacon on September 22 at 4:02 p.m.
Aw shucks Brian, is that how it happened in the old days?
brianrbreen on September 22 at 4:05 p.m.
Yep Jim it did!
brianrbreen on September 22 at 4:14 p.m.
And in the alley, I’ll take Lewis!
Squid on September 22 at 4:18 p.m.
Jim Freakin Nicks???? You gotta be kidding me? It all makes sense now…..
Squid on September 22 at 4:19 p.m.
Jim, ain’t karma a bbbbbbummer????
brianrbreen on September 22 at 4:20 p.m.
No not that Jim!!!
Squid on September 22 at 5:19 p.m.
I guess I wasn’t thinking. You don’t achieve the level of Chief, with his attitude and level of intelligence.
You gotta quit teasing me, Brian! Haven’t had blue ball since I was 15.
brianrbreen on September 23 at 7:33 a.m.
Bits,
I have to apologize for that, you are not a dumb sh*t and I was out of line. I just wish that you and TheRoy would understand that the only way the department is going to gain any respect back when this mess is over is for the young guys still there to learn that they will always be hated by the few and loved by the many, but you have to treat those that hate the same way you would the others or you are stooping to their level.
Squid,
You are way off the wall sometimes kid, but what the hell so am I and I demonstrated that with my remark to Bits.
Squid on September 23 at 10:04 a.m.
Squirts, you honestly are a dumb sh*t, and Brian wasn’t out of line. It is true that you will always be hated by me, but not loved by any. I happen to like the way you treat me. It will fuel me to give you “assistance” someday, in that alley Brian was talking about. Till then….
Brian, I may be off the wall, but I have had nothing but respect for you. I don’t think your remark was off the wall in the least. I think cops should worry about the hole they are digging with redneck hillbillies, like myself. We tend to have more guts than brains and will stand up for what we believe in, and what is right. Someday I will run into Jim, and he will be overtuning someone…. Just a little too much.
I believe you see the mess that has been created by the police, and the potential problems that will come from it. There is obviously a war that has been silently declared by the police. Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea. There are too many good and honest citizens watching every move the police make now. Do you think it will be harder for the cops to do their job, post Otto? Do you think citizens will always allow incidents like Otto’s to happen again, without interference? Creach? Groom? Eagle Michael? Shonto Pete? Etc? Maybe downtown in the dope smokin’, hippy sissy boy, peace and love crowd, but not in my neck of the woods. Our love is long gone. Trust and tolerance are at a minimum, and tension is at the maximum.
Right now Brian, you are the only cop that isn’t retired, that I have any faith in. You seem to be the only cop that doesn’t have the “us against them” attitude. I have retired cop friends who see how things have changed for the worst, and worry about the future. My retired cop friends constantly talk about the current “new breed” and their attitude. Anyone can see that it’s not going well. Citizens are not supposed to be the enemy. Cops should have rules and laws to follow.
How’s that for off the wall?
Tell me, Brian…. Since you seem to have a little more common sense than the average cop…. If you were Chief, would you allow someone like Bits or Valleyman to remain beat cops, with their level of contempt for those they serve? Does it benefit anyone? Isn’t it an extreme liability for everyone? Doesn’t make sense to leave them on the street.
You said it best: “And in the alley, I’ll take Lewis!” Speaks volumes, and I believe Lewis would be there for you. Bits… Not so much. Bits needs a leash and a few good, solid virtual whacks with a newspaper. The Spokesman has many uses.
brianrbreen on September 23 at 4:41 p.m.
@Squid
I don’t have any more common sense then the average cop, If I did I would have never been a cop (and I am retired by the way). I don’t know how many times someone spit in my face or called me a name. Beyond that I’ve been shot at and sh*t at, literally(only because Tony Bamonte did the right thing and didn’t put and extra round in the guy).It took me along time to learn as it is for most cops that it isn’t us against them it’s us with them. I’m old guy on my way out, with a lot more balls then some of the retired guys, but if I can do anything to make it better I will. I don’t have to worry about being sent graveyard, nor do I have to worry about someone trying to screw me( I could only hope). What you don’t realize is that my posting on here means I’m done with any kind of investigations in Spokane and I don’t care, I’m too old any way.
As far as Bits and Valleyman are concerned they are good people, and retired by the way, it’s just a matter of I love cops because I was one and I will not allow people like you or lewis to put me down, which when I was younger and less experienced I might have done the same thing.and then you would have been really been in trouble. :)
In the alley, there are some cops I wouldn’t have taken there nor would you if you were going there. The same is true if it weren’t cops. It doesn’t matter. The big issue is what can the cops do to protect themselves from what everyone with any sense has seen and at the same time gain more respect.
Holy crap, I’m getting philosophical !
Squid on September 23 at 6:17 p.m.
Brian, we’ll have to disagree about who you consider to be good people. I have a feeling you are biting your tongue when you typed that. Not guys I’d want working for me. Couldn’t trust them one bacon bit.
Bits is really retired? He sounds like every young hot head, trigger happy cop, with a bad attitude, I have ever seen.
You retired? Thought you broke your leg and were going back on the force when you heal? I suppose you wouldn’t have the freedom of speech that you do, if you were going back. Hope you enjoy your retirement. :)
Maybe I’ll buy you lunch one of these days, and you can tell me your shot and sh*t story. Sounds like a good one. Ron can hang too. Two good guys and one bad guy. Might be fun.
As far as gaining respect… It’s pretty darn easy, until you lose it. My thoughts are that some cops should keep their bad attitudes about the public, away from the public, until the public calms down, about what the cops have done to the public.
Squid on September 23 at 6:19 p.m.
Brian, the last paragraph had nothing to do with you. Aimed squarely at Valleyman and Bit o’ sh*t.
Liberty_Bell on September 23 at 7:13 p.m.
Yes and a little prosecution from a prosecutor instead of a politician, working wonders in many Counties.
Perjury, shown best today in a jury room, with two more deputies on their way to the George Janovich Big House!
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/23/1836792/pierce-county-deputies-convicted.html#comment-318715742
Ron_the_Cop on September 24 at 7:26 a.m.
For those wondering who Tony Bamonte is that Brian made reference to, he is a former SPD cop who went on to become a three-term sheriff of Pend Oreille Co. He is nationally famous for solving the oldest active homicide in the US - a rouge element in SPD was doing butter thefts and selling it on the black market during the Depression. One of the rouge cops a SPD detective shot and killed the Newport town marshal and through the murder weapon in the Spokane River. The solving of this case is documented by NYT bestselling author/reporter Tim Egan in his bestseller, Breaking Blue. Read the S-R’s on review of this book:
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/interactive/bookclub/reviews/staff_review.asp?RevID=24
Brian was your reference to Tony the robbery at the Bon Marche Department Store Downtown? Tony a motor cop at the time responded to the call, entered the store and eventually shot the robber between the eyes who wasn’t killed because his sun glasses took the impact of the bullet?
brianrbreen on September 24 at 7:38 a.m.
The Bon Marche. The guy he shot had to be guarded at the hospital, and he had a habit of crapping the bed and then throwing it at the cop guarding him.
brianrbreen on September 24 at 7:53 a.m.
“Bamonte once roared onto the sidewalk”
“Roared” BS. There used to be a pool each month as who would go down first Bamonte or Gasperino. :)
Squid on September 24 at 7:56 a.m.
What a funky monkey, with some very good luck. They didn’t print the poo flinging in the papers. How many years ago was that?
BitofBacon on September 24 at 8:21 a.m.
@Brian-apology accepted.
@Squid-just keep up the name calling if it makes you happy.
Squid on September 24 at 8:41 a.m.
I’m not allowed to print the names that make me happy. Hope you get cancer and die very painfully and slowly. :) Yup… That kinda makes me feel better already, and I didn’t even call you any names!
BitofBacon on September 24 at 8:46 a.m.
Get it all out Squid. Doesn’t bother me in the least.
Squid on September 24 at 2:01 p.m.
Nope. I’m done, ButtforBoinkin.