Plea Bargain Near In Mercy Killing

Attorneys for a man who shot and killed his comatose brother are in the midst of discussing a possible plea agreement with county prosecutors.

Kootenai County prosecutors charged Curt Doty, 26, with seconddegree murder after he shot Daryl Doty, 31, while Daryl lay comatose in Kootenai Medical Center last November 7.

Daryl Doty’s doctor described the father of four as being in a “persistent vegetative state.”

Daryl Doty suffered brain and spinal injuries during a logging accident in February 1992.

Curt Doty shot his brother because he loved him and did not want to see him suffer any longer, said Glen Walker, Doty’s attorney.

On Friday, Walker would not say exactly what the possible plea agreement would be. However, in a typical plea agreement, the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser charge.

“Under no circumstances will (Curt Doty) plead guilty to murder,” Walker said.

Walker said he expects to know on Monday whether or not a plea agreement has been reached.

If not, Walker has asked 1st District Judge Gary Haman to postpone Curt Doty’s April trial until May.

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