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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Alleged shooting plot leads to teen’s arrest

A 16-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday for allegedly plotting a “Columbine-style shooting” at North Central High School, according to Spokane police.

The boy, who was booked into juvenile detention on a charge of threatening to bomb or injure property, was identified as a suspect by detectives working with Spokane Public Schools officials.

Spokane police say they learned of a conversation a few weeks ago between students about a shooting that was to occur at the school.

The students referred to the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, which occurred 13 years ago this Friday.

Then last week, police found graffiti at Winco on North Nevada Street that also referenced an upcoming shooting at North Central, according to the Spokane Police Department.

Detectives identified the boy as being responsible for the threats and graffiti. He was arrested Tuesday morning at his home in the 1800 block of West Dean Avenue, where detectives executed a search warrant.

Police have not said what they found in the home.

A woman at the home declined to speak to a reporter Tuesday afternoon.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Man who killed wife sentenced to 31 years

A Stevens County man who shot his wife to death was sentenced Tuesday to 31 years in prison.

Craig Raymond Cosby, 70, called 911 on Oct. 2, 2009, and said he’d shot his wife, Susan May Cosby, 53.

Susan Cosby was found dead of gunshot wounds in their home in Marcus, a small town along the Columbia River in northern Stevens County.

Craig Cosby was arrested in the front yard and underwent mental evaluations before being declared competent to stand trial.

A jury convicted him of first-degree murder March 30, rejecting his claims of self-defense.

Cosby said he did not plan or prepare to murder his wife, and that he did have remorse but hadn’t shown it “due to the way he was raised,” said Stevens County Prosecutor Tim Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Judge Allen Nielson imposed the maximum sentence of 380 months as recommended.

Meghann M. Cuniff