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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Meghann M. Cuniff

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News >  Spokane

Recording lends insight into Wallace’s release

Five weeks before Charles Robert Wallace shot two Spokane County sheriff’s deputies, he sat in a federal courtroom in downtown Spokane, his hand in a cast, as his lawyer told a judge he needed drug addiction treatment instead of jail. The 41-year-old suspected heroin trafficker’s wrist had been broken in a fall at the Spokane County Jail, and it took five days to get it set in a cast.
News >  Spokane

Two longtime felons suspected of prowling

A 51-time felon who was told by a judge 10 years ago that “the system’s had enough of you” is back in jail in connection with property crimes police suspect are related to his heroin addiction. Brian Lee Danner, 40, was stopped last week in the area of North Cedar Street and Northwest Boulevard while driving a green 1995 Jeep Cherokee belonging to another longtime felon, Johnie L. Vick, 42.
News >  Spokane

In the end, gift of life

When her husband died, Ashley Johnson knew how some people were bound to remember him. His picture was published and broadcast as one of four men arrested for a shooting at Hoopfest in 2010. Police called it a gang-related shooting, and prosecutors charged the four suspects with about a dozen counts of attempted murder for the number of bystanders who could have been struck by the gunfire.
News >  Spokane

Mayor takes chief search to Indiana

The embattled top law enforcement official in Indianapolis will be among those considered for Spokane’s next chief of police. Mayor David Condon confirmed to The Spokesman-Review that he asked Indianapolis Public Safety Director Frank Straub to apply for the opening here, and Straub has told Indianapolis media outlets that he’s taken Condon up on the offer. The two met during Condon’s recent visit to Indianapolis, where the mayor met with government officials to learn more about their metro model of policing, which he’s exploring as a potential option for Spokane.
News >  Spokane

Small explosive balls seized

A man was arrested with about 5,400 small explosive devices in his van during an undercover investigation at Hooters in Spokane Valley on Thursday. Peter Ward Westhaver, 53, is in the Spokane County Jail on a no-bail federal hold.
News >  Spokane

Accused sex offender released on bail

A sex offender facing a potential life sentence for allegedly molesting a girl at the NorthTown Mall is out of jail. Richard Michael Payne, 55, posted a $250,000 bond through a bail bonds company and was released from Spokane County Jail about 10 p.m. Wednesday.
News >  Spokane

Case could lead to life term for sex offender

A child molester with a history of sex crimes in public places could be jailed for life after being arrested for exposing himself to a girl at NorthTown Mall in Spokane. Richard Michael Payne, 55, is accused of molesting a 5-year-old girl June 21 as she and her 11-year-old sister were playing in Bumpers Family Fun Center while their mother shopped.
News >  Spokane

Injured deputies making progress

Two sheriff’s deputies shot by a fugitive heroin-trafficking suspect last week continue to recover as detectives continue to investigate the crime spree that ended in the gunman’s suicide. Deputy Matt Spink, who was shot once in his leg, was released from the hospital Friday. Deputy Mike Northway, who was shot four times in his arms and legs, remains in the hospital but has been released from the intensive care unit and has walked around a couple of times.
News >  Spokane

Shooter’s alleged helper will remain behind bars

A Spokane man accused of helping the fugitive who shot two deputies will remain jailed on $100,000 bond. Robert Lee “Bo” Ruth, 42, has seven felony convictions, 15 misdemeanor convictions and has failed to appear in court 20 times, court officials said Friday.
News >  Spokane

Man accused of helping cop shooter to stay in jail

A Spokane man accused of helping the fugitive who shot two deputies will remain jailed on $100,000 bond. Robert Lee “Bo” Ruth, 42, has seven felony convictions, 15 misdemeanor convictions and has failed to appear in court 20 times, court officials said on Friday.
News >  Spokane

Task force directed deputies to stop SUV

A Spokane man shot in the leg during a home-invasion robbery last month was with a fugitive just before he opened fire on two sheriff’s deputies Tuesday. That information, contained in court documents filed late Thursday, gives the clearest picture yet of what led up to Charles Robert Wallace’s decision to shoot two deputies. The documents also show that agents monitoring Wallace believed he could turn violent if confronted by law enforcement.
News >  Spokane

Arson suspect remains jailed

A pro football player who claims God told him to start a fire at his apartment complex in Liberty Lake will remain in jail amid concerns about his mental health. Kevin Marcus Ellison, 25, who was dismissed from the Spokane Shock arena football team after his arrest June 14, repeatedly claimed to be Jesus Christ, Assistant U.S. Attorney Aine Ahmed said.
News >  Spokane

Wallace’s release baffles Knezovich

The county’s top law enforcement officer expressed outrage Wednesday that a suspected heroin dealer facing his fourth stay in prison was released from jail just weeks before shooting two deputies in a gunbattle north of Spokane. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich waved a thick packet detailing the extensive criminal history of 41-year-old Charles Robert Wallace at a news conference, criticizing U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Imbrogno’s order to release Wallace into a voluntary drug rehabilitation center.
News >  Spokane

Suspect had left drug treatment facility

The suspected heroin trafficker believed to have shot two sheriff's deputies before killing himself Tuesday was supposed to be in drug treatment in Spokane Valley but had been missing for at least a week, according to authorities. U.S. Marshals had been looking for Charles Robert Wallace, 41, since hearing he’d left American Behavior Rehabilitation Services.
News >  Spokane

Man unsure why SPD shot

Jesse Hugh Johnson thought no one else was around when, armed with a BB gun, he confronted a suspected thief early Sunday. The 24-year-old Spokane man realized a neighbor must have called police when a bullet struck the back of his upper right leg and police officers swarmed the area.
News >  Spokane

Man shot by police claims he was confronting thief

Jesse Hugh Johnson says he thought no one else was around when, armed with a BB gun, he confronted a suspected thief early Sunday. The 24-year-old Spokane man realized a neighbor must’ve called police when a bullet struck the back of his upper right leg and police officers swarmed the area.