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

Sirens & Gavels

Courthouse watch: 6.1.09

Suspects on today's Superior Court docket included a man connected to an accused methamphetamine dealer arrested after a day-long stand off last week.

David L. "Cowboy Dave" Harwood was arrested May 27 near the Whitworth Arms apartments, the site of a Sheriff's SWAT team standoff with Casey D. Beckham that same day.

Undercover detectives approached Harwood after learning he had a warrant for escape from community custody on a robbery conviction, court papers show.

They found suspected methamphetamine in his pocket, according to a search warrant filed in Spokane County District Court, and Harwood told them of 11 stolen firearms in his car when they called for a tow truck for his car.

That's when Beckham, a longtime felon featured in this blog post, entered the picture.

Court papers show Harwood told detectives he and an associate identified only as Whitey were to sell the guns to Beckham to clear a drug debt.

"Harwood told your affiiant that he would have his $600 methamphetamine debt owned to Casey Beckham cleared for brokering the guns," according to the warrant prepared by Detective Dean Meyer. "Harwood stated that Whitey was to either receive two ounces of methamphetamine for the guns or $700 cash and one ounce of methamphetamine."

Beckham was arrested late that night. Read a story on his arrest here.

Harwood appeared in court via video this afternoon on charges of first-degree burlgary (domestic violence), first-degree armed robbery and attempting to elude, court records show.

Leftovers from Friday's packed court docket include the case of Daniel Lambrix, 19.

Judge Maryann Moreno sentenced Lambrix Friday to credit for jail time served as well as 12 months of probations and more than $7,000 in fees for second-degree arson and second-degree malcious mischief.

He was accused of torching an apartment complex last fall in a case featured in this blog post.



Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.