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

In brief: Man cleared of murder charges

From Staff Reports

A gunman who killed one man and wounded another in a New Year’s Day shooting outside a Spokane convenience store was cleared of murder charges Monday.

Shannon L. Johnson, 34, argued in a two-week Spokane County Superior Court trial that he was defending himself when he gunned down David “Derek” C. Lougin, 25, and shot 29-year-old Jason E. Brown twice in the back. Lougin, who also was armed with a handgun, died in the attack at the Neighborhood Grocery, 3404 E. Euclid Ave.

Jurors acquitted Johnson of murder but were deadlocked on a companion charge of assault. Judge Maryann C. Moreno ordered Johnson released following the verdict.

Armed man steals SUV, officials say

A man entered a woman’s southwest Spokane County home early Tuesday morning, displayed a rifle, told her he was being chased and stole her Chevrolet TrailBlazer, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies responded to a residential burglary call around 2 a.m. near 16600 S. Carstens Road.The woman at the home told dispatchers that a young white man, about 5-foot-10 and 130 to 140 pounds, entered her home and took her car keys. He was wearing a plaid jacket and blue jeans, she said. After telling her he was being chased and needed help, he took the keys to her TrailBlazer and stole the vehicle.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for anyone providing information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information should call (800) 222-TIPS, or should enter the tip on the  Crime Stoppers website. Tipsters do not have to give their name to collect the reward.

First lady Otter injured at rodeo

BOISE – Idaho first lady Lori Otter dislocated her shoulder recently in a calf-roping accident at an Oregon rodeo.

Gov. Butch Otter said Tuesday, “She is recovering. She is going to have to go in and have the shoulder repaired.”

The mishap occurred the weekend before last, according to Otter’s press secretary Jon Hanian, on the couple’s anniversary, when the first lady was roping a calf during a rodeo in Haines, Ore.

Both she and the governor are rodeo fans who ride often.