Vodder guilty of murder in case of Bret Snow killing

A second suspect has been convicted in the 2015 disappearance and murder of Bret Snow.

A jury found Colby D. Vodder guilty of first-degree murder Monday afternoon.

It was the second trial for Vodder. Last year, a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision. He faces a possible sentence of life behind bars.

“We respect the work of the jury and their dedication in deliberations,” said Vodder’s attorney, Joseph Kuhlman. “An appeal will be filed in this matter.”

The jury last week heard opening arguments in the new trial, which featured many of the same witnesses who testified in the first court proceeding.

Prosecutors again alleged Vodder helped kill and dismember Snow, 32, in the workshop building of property at 7822 N. Starr Road near Newman Lake. His co-defendants include Cheryl L. Sutton – who was found guilty of murder in March – Kenneth Stone and Alvaro Guajardo.

Prosecutors say Sutton and Stone were selling heroin and methamphetamine from the property. Snow, who was also using drugs, sometimes delivered the drugs for Sutton and Stone.

But Sutton became enraged when Snow somehow botched a drug deal, according to testimony. Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Brian Case said Tuesday that Sutton’s rage led to a struggle “where Mr. Snow was seriously injured.”

Vodder and Guajardo are suspected to have killed and dismembered Snow and then hid his body. His remains have yet to be found.

In April, Spokane County Superior Court Judge Raymond Clary, who presided over Vodder’s second trial, ordered Sutton to serve about 31 years in prison.

Guajardo is scheduled to go to trial later this month. Stone, who was charged last year, does not have a trial date set.