Thomas Clouse

A Stevens County jury ruled today that Christopher H. Devlin is guilty of aggravated first-degree murder in connection with a case of a man whose bullet-riddled body was found behind a Deer Park liquor store. The jury deliberated three days before convicting Devlin, 57, of the May 2008 slaying of 52-year-old Daniel Heily.

COLVILLE – Spokane County prosecutors ended their first-degree murder case against Christopher H. Devlin without calling the only person they believe witnessed the killing. Defense attorneys Mark Vovos and Roger Hunko implored Superior Court Judge Jerome Leveque to allow them to tell jurors that prosecutors Larry Steinmetz and Dale Nagy agreed to give Carl A. Hoskins a deal in exchange for testimony – that as it turns out never came.

COLVILLE – Spokane County prosecutors ended their first-degree murder case against Christopher H. Devlin without calling the only person they believe witnessed the killing.

Even though a new $20 tax on license plate tabs got pulled off the agenda Monday by the Spokane City Council, city leaders said they expect to bring it back within the next few weeks. However, Monday night was the last chance to get it on the November ballot, which means voters will not have a say in the new tax.

The Spokane City Council has pulled a proposal for tonight’s meeting that would have added a new vehicle license tab fee.Even though a new $20 tax on license plate tabs got pulled off the agenda Monday by the Spokane City Council, city leaders said they expect to bring it back within the next few weeks.

Facing daunting shortfalls in revenue, the Spokane City Council will discuss tonight instituting a tax on vehicle license tabs. Councilman Bob Apple said he will bring a proposal forward for a $20 fee, which is the most the city can impose without going to voters for approval.

Defense attorneys told a judge Wednesday that prosecutors don’t have a legal basis for a long list of attempted murder charges levied against three of four men in connection with a shooting at Hoopfest that injured three bystanders. Superior Court Judge Michael Price said that he is concerned the probable cause affidavit doesn’t support all those charges, including attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, but that he would allow attorneys to make their arguments later.

Defense attorneys told a judge today that prosecutors don’t have a legal basis for a long list of attempted murder charges levied against three of four men in connection with a shooting at Hoopfest that injured three bystanders.

A Moscow, Idaho, man who admitted killing his wife and unborn daughter received a sentence Tuesday of 40 years in prison – 20 of which must be served before he can be considered for parole. Silas Parks, 26, previously accepted a plea agreement in which he admitted killing 28-year-old Sarah Parks and her 20-week-old fetus, said Latah County Prosecutor Bill Robinson.

A Moscow man who admitted killing his wife and unborn daughter received a sentence today of 40 years in prison. Of that sentence, 20 years must be served before he can be considered for parole.

When defense attorney Chris Bugbee addressed a room full of Republicans in June, he told them that he not only intends to defeat incumbent Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker, Bugbee said he intends to retire from the office. The bold prediction not only illustrates Bugbee’s quick emergence as a front-runner but how contentious the primary contest has become.

A Washington state trooper’s testimony to get out of a traffic infraction six years ago could have implications for pending felony charges against a Spokane firefighter who previously was wrongfully accused by the same agency. In addition to its potential impact on the ongoing assault case against suspended firefighter Todd Chism, the handling of the 2004 traffic infraction against Spokane-based Trooper Greg Birkeland raises questions about the role of two lawyers now among five candidates for Spokane County prosecutor – incumbent Steve Tucker and Chris Bugbee.

Oaks Education Association gets a free year of broadband, through Integra Telecom

A Spokane man pleaded guilty today to threatening to kill members of an abortion clinic in Boulder, Colo., three weeks after the killing of a Kansas doctor who provided controversial late-term abortions.

COLVILLE – Defense attorney Mark Vovos on Monday told a jury of Stevens County residents that the murder trial they are about to decide amounts to a “classic cover-up” by detectives who willingly bought the shaky story of a co-defendant. But Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Dale Nagy said 57-year-old Christopher Devlin killed a longtime friend, 52-year-old Daniel Heily, who was about to testify against Devlin in a trial where he was charged with breaking into Heily’s home and assaulting him on Aug. 2, 2007.

Attorneys on Monday filed a $4.7 million federal civil suit against the Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for their failed attempt to keep a mentally-ill man from jumping off the Monroe Street Bridge while his father watched.

Defense attorney Mark Vovos on Monday told a jury of Stevens County residents that the murder trial they are about to decide amounts to a “classic cover-up” by detectives who willingly bought the shaky story of a co-defendant.

A former Colbert couple now living in Honduras were arraigned in federal court in Spokane on Friday after the husband and wife were arrested in Florida on warrants for failing to pay income taxes in Washington. Kristin W. and Scott D. Haynes, 56, both pleaded not guilty. Each faces five misdemeanor counts of failing to pay taxes, according to court records.

A former Colbert couple now living in Honduras were arraigned in federal court today after the husband and wife were arrested in Florida on warrants for failing to pay income taxes in Washington.

When defense attorney Chris Bugbee addressed a room full of Republicans in June, he told them that he not only intends to defeat incumbent Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker, Bugbee said he intends to retire from the office. The bold prediction not only illustrates Bugbee’s quick emergence as a front-runner but how contentious the primary contest has become.

The number of defense witnesses for murder suspect Justin W. Crenshaw equaled the number of people his attorney said he killed: two. On Wednesday, deputy prosecutor Jack Driscoll rested his case and defense attorney Chris Bugbee began and ended his defense of the 22-year-old Crenshaw, who is charged with the slaying of Tanner E. Pehl, 20, and Sarah A. Clark, 18, on Feb. 28, 2008.