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

In brief: Colbert man dies from crash injuries

A Colbert man has died from injuries suffered last week when he crashed his car along state Route 904 west of Cheney.

Brandon Michel Morris, 23, had been hospitalized at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.

The Washington State Patrol reported that Morris was not wearing a seat belt Wednesday when his 1985 Oldsmobile Calais left the road and struck a rock wall.

Eds. note: The Washington State Patrol erroneously reported that Morris had died. As of Tuesday afternoon, Morris was on life support.

Man, 24, accused of attacking officer

Spokane police arrested a man Sunday on suspicion of attacking a police officer.

Ryan Robinson, 24, was jailed after he persisted in interfering with a police officer attempting to interview a domestic violence suspect and then ran into the officer during a scuffle, court records say.

According to court documents, police went to an apartment in the 900 block of West Ninth Avenue to investigate a stabbing and domestic violence call. They found Robinson there along with “numerous uncooperative people” inside.

Robinson argued with officers and kept placing his hands in his pockets. Officers handcuffed him, but he continued arguing and used a racial epithet to refer to the officers, records say.

Officer Ron Van Tassle said that while he was restraining the suspect, Robinson ran into his right shoulder.

Rachel Alexander

Medical marijuana trial on hold with new judge

A medical marijuana trial in Spokane involving the so-called Kettle Falls Five has been postponed until Feb. 23 after a new judge was appointed to the case.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle has been replaced by Judge Thomas O. Rice, who set the new trial date Monday.

Larry Harvey, three of his relatives and a family friend each face mandatory minimum sentences of at least 10 years in prison after they were caught growing about 70 pot plants on their rural Kettle Falls land.

Medical marijuana advocates say the trial violates federal policies announced by Attorney General Eric Holder last year that nonviolent, small-time drug offenders shouldn’t face lengthy prison sentences.

Associated Press

Pedestrian injured in Spokane Valley

A Spokane Valley pedestrian was in critical condition after being struck by a car in a crosswalk about 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

The collision occurred at the intersection of North Argonne Road and East Sprague Avenue, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said.

Initial reports indicate the driver, 19, had a green light. The pedestrian, 41, was wearing dark clothing and crossing against a red light.

Staff reports