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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gunman in I-90 police shootout accepts plea deal

Associated Press
COEUR d’ALENE — An Arizona man accused of shooting at North Idaho police officers on Interstate 90 last year has accepted a pretrial settlement. The Coeur d’Alene Press reports that 25-year-old Marcus Rael entered guilty pleas Friday to four counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, and six Alford pleas for the same charge. In the Alford pleas, he admitted no guilt but acknowledged that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him. He was initially charged with 12 counts of assault with the intent to commit a serious felony. Prosecutors say Rael refused to stop when Coeur d’Alene police officers tried to pull him over on June 22, 2014 for driving under the influence of drugs. After a short pursuit they say Rael began shooting a semi-automatic AK-47 rifle and another rifle at officers. No officers were injured in the shootout. Rael was shot and injured.
This AP story was updated to correct Rael’s pleas to the charges.