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

Otto Zehm

Otto Zehm, a Spokane man with schizophrenia who worked as a janitor, died after a confrontation with police at a North Side Zip Trip store in March 2006.

News >  Spokane

Juror: Zehm reports moot

The forewoman of the jury that convicted Spokane police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. said none of the jurors brought information to deliberations that they picked up from media reports, as alleged by defense attorneys seeking a new trial. Diane Riley, 57, of Ellensburg, contacted The Spokesman-Review Monday to voice her concerns about allegations that jurors may have been exposed to television reports indicating Otto Zehm was mentally ill.
News >  Spokane

Thompson juror: ‘This was a police coverup’

The forewoman of the jury that convicted Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. said none of the jurors brought information to deliberations from media sources, as alleged by defense attorneys seeking a new trial.
News >  Spokane

Verner seeks federal probe

The entire Spokane Police Department could soon be under full federal investigation. Outgoing Mayor Mary Verner announced Monday she will ask the U.S. Justice Department to launch a “pattern and practice” investigation of the department, which federal prosecutors described earlier this month as participating in an “an extensive cover-up” of the fatal 2006 police confrontation with unarmed janitor Otto Zehm. A jury on Nov. 2 convicted Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. of using excessive force on Zehm and lying to cover up his actions.

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