Suspect In Death Arrested In California

Thu., Dec. 21, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

The last of four suspects in an Oct. 28 murder in Stevens County was arrested Wednesday in Bakersfield, Calif.

Sheriff Craig Thayer said his department supplied information that led Bakersfield police to Randall C. Gardner, 37.

Gardner is charged with rendering criminal assistance in the shotgun death of Chewelah, Wash., resident Tina Smith, 20.

Smith was shot twice in the back of the head with a shotgun at a house in the Onion Creek area north of Colville.

The alleged triggerman, John H. Steinkraus, 42, and another suspect, Valerie L. Greenfield, 33, were arrested last Thursday in Pinedale, Wyo. They are awaiting transportation to Stevens County.

Ray A. Ellis, 46, was arrested earlier in Spokane. He pleaded guilty Monday to rendering criminal assistance, and prosecutor Jerry Wetle will recommend a light sentence because Ellis led authorities to Smith’s body. , DataTimes

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