The death of a woman who fell 12 stories at the Coeur d’Alene Resort was ruled an accident today, nearly two months after her boyfriend told police it was a suicide. Lynea M. Sprung Hambrice, 36, student services coordinator at the Louisiana State University School…
A financial scandal that ravaged a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding low-income people earned the last of two women responsible a felony theft conviction today. Rachelle D. Solomon, 39, received no jail or probation but was ordered to pay $5,000 to Mid-City Concerns Meals on…
The boyfriend of convicted killer Shellye L. Stark will remain in custody on federal weapons charges, a judge ruled today. Brian L. Moore's public defender, Tina Hunt, had asked that Moore be released and allowed to return to Orange County, Calif., on his own. But…
A man accused of bilking a rental owner out of more than $15,000 was scheduled to plead not guilty to 15 felony theft charges today. Wesley O. Walters, 38, and his wife, Theresa M. Walters, managed the King’s Village Apartment Complex in the 12000 block…
Law enforcement in Spokane County this month discovered two homemade methamphetamine labs within two days and on opposite sides of the county. Spokane police and firefighters found the first lab Sept. 12 after someone reporting a strong smell of chemicals at 2409 E. Sharp about…
A prominent school booster charged in a major cocaine dealing investigation could be forced to give up $40,000 and his Mercedes Benz, newly filed court documents show. Jerald Stuart Carlson was indicted on a federal drug forfeiture charge last week, more than seven months after…
A carload of drunken teens led police to a stolen fire department wrench that had been used to open fire hydrants throughout Spokane Valley. Justin L. Myles, 19, told police about the wrench while being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving about 2 a.m. Saturday…
The raid at two Spokane Valley apartment complexes last week was triggered by a common law enforcement ally: the confidential informant. Versed in the criminal world and eager to shed criminal charges, the confidential informant typically arranges drug buys using police money, then gives the…
I will be out of the newsroom until Monday, Sept. 21. Posting will resume then.
The married boyfriend of convicted killer Shellye Stark could be released from jail Thursday. Brian L. Moore's public defender argued for him to be released at a bail hearing today, but a judge delayed the decision so federal officials can verify where Moore will be…
Charges against the married boyfriend of convicted killer Shellye Stark have been dropped at the request of the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office. Brian L. Moore, 43, is being held in Spokane County Jail on federal weapons charges that were filed late last week. The state…
A young man convicted of torching an apartment complex last fall was to plead not guilty to a third-degree assault charge today. Daniel J. Lambrix, 19, is accused of biting a jail deputy who was trying to restrain him in May, according to a probable…
Medical marijuana advocates rallied outside the courthouse today to protest the Spokane police's warning that dispensaries shut down. The protesters went to City Hall later and expect to be along Broadway Avenue in front of the courthouse all week. The group is hoping to bring…
Federal prosecutors have grown increasingly critical of what they describe as questionable behavior by the Spokane Police Department’s chief legal adviser, who reportedly used his position to provide “traditionally confidential” information to the officer under FBI investigation following the fatal confrontation with Otto Zehm. In…
The investigation into the medical marijuana dispensary Change began when a detective saw a TV news article about the business in May, court documents show. "The news story advised that Scott Shupe dispenses marijuana and that he grows, possesses and sells marijuana and that 'it's…
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information that leads to the capture of these four people. Can you match the mug shot with the allegation? Click the link below for the answers.Alleged crimes: attempting to elude a police vehicle and nine counts of third-degree…
Another day, another OxyContin robber sentenced. A 25-year-old man who robbed two Walgreens at gunpoint late last year will spend more than three years in prison. Spokane County Superior Court Judge Annette Plese sentenced Adam J. Dally today to 40 months in prison and 18…
Medical marijuana advocates rallied outside the Spokane County Courthouse today. Led by dispensary owner Chantel Jackson and a bullhorn, the protesters saved signs advocating medical marijuana and asking where patients can buy their supply now that dispensaries have been warned to shut down. Their main…
A man who robbed a Walgreens of OxyContin will spend 14 months in prison. Richard T. Ludvik, 23, was sentenced on a second-degree robbery charge Wednesday. He was given a concurrent sentence today for felony possession of a controlled substance, marijuana. The charge was originally…
The jury has reached a not guilty verdict in the trial of a Spokane police officer accused of kicking a handcuffed man in the face, Thomas Clouse reports.Lots of police officers stopped by to watch the day-and-a-half trial, including Karl Thompson, the officer charged in…
The trial of a Spokane police officer accused of kicking a handcuffed man in the face is expected to wrap up today. Officer Rob Boothe is charged with fourth-degree assault after two officers reported seeing him kick a handcuffed suspect in the face who apparently…
A man accused of beating a dog outside Spokane City Hall had his bail reduced during his first court appearance today. Michael J. Jones, 20, remains in jail on $7,500, charged with first-degree animal cruelty for his alleged connection to the June 22 incident, which…
The trial of young man accused of a grisly double murder has been postponed. Justin W. Crenshaw, 21, will stand trial in early February 2010 - nearly two years after prosecutors and detectives say he stabbed Sarah A. Clark and Tanner E. Pehl to death,…
When the Spokane man accused of child porn possession allegedly chatted online with who he thought was a 14-year-old boy, he wasn't just talking to a New Hampshire police detective, he was talking to a renowned sex crimes investigator responsible for arrests across the world.…
Opening statements are set to begin today in the trial of a Spokane police officer accused of kicking a handcuffed man in the face. Rob M. Boothe has been on paid leave since the alleged incident occurred Sept. 5, 2008, after several officers pursued a…
Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.
