Two men expected to enter pleas in Marcus Schur murder case

Two Whitman County men who prosecutors say took part in the effort to cover up the murder of Rosalia resident Marcus Schur in December 2011, are expected to enter guilty pleas to associated charges in the near future.

For testifying against Daniel and Frank Lazcano, brothers who have now both been convicted of first-degree murder of Schur after a total of four trials, Whitman County prosecutor Denis Tracy said, “They both had deals with the prosecutor’s office.”

The cases against Eli Lindsey and Travis Carlon, both relatives of the Lazcanos, were delayed until the murder trials were over because they were called on to testify. They are alleged to have helped dispose of the murder weapon and, in Carlon’s case, conspired with the Lazcanos to dispose of Schur’s body.

Lindsey, of Washtucna, was charged with one gross misdemeanor count of rendering criminal assistance in Whitman County Superior Court last Friday. When Lindsey appears in court again Jan. 17 to enter a plea, Tracy said he will recommend a sentence of only 90 days, though he could face up to a year in jail.

Carlon’s first appearance is set for Jan. 10, where the Pine City man will be charged with one felony count of first-degree rendering criminal assistance, which carries a sentencing range between six and 12 months. Due to his cooperation at trial, Tracy said he will recommend six months.

After two previous trials ended in hung juries, the third trial for Daniel Lazcano ended last week in the 22-year-old’s conviction for first-degree murder for shooting and killing Schur outside a Malden home. His brother Frank was sentenced earlier this year to 25 years in prison for his role in the killing.