Security Tight For Murder Arraignment Suspects In Eloika Lake Killing Both Enter Pleas Of Innocent

Security was heavy Thursday when murder suspects Alan Rochek and Jacqueline Bence pleaded innocent to the Eloika Lake murder of one of their alleged criminal associates.

One end of the Pend Oreille County Hall of Justice was sealed off and spectators were forced to run a gauntlet of sheriff’s deputies with metal detectors to view Rochek’s and Bence’s arraignment on aggravated first-degree murder charges.

Assistant Public Defender Tim Trageser demanded that waist and leg chains and handcuffs be removed from Bence during her arraignment. But deputies offered only to free her right hand so she could sign documents. Superior Court Judge Larry Kristianson supported the decision.

Bence, 20, was more heavily restrained than the husky 28-year-old Rochek, who had only leg chains. Bence is accused of committing most of the violence against Morley.

Prosecutors say Bence and Rochek abducted Morley, 30, at Rochek’s home in Spokane and killed him at Eloika Lake because he failed to pay a debt in a checkfraud scheme.

According to court documents, both defendants have confessed to police.

Deputy Prosecutor Tony Koures said in a court document that Bence stabbed Morley, repeatedly struck him in the head with a hammer, strangled him and slashed his throat. Rochek also beat, bludgeoned and strangled the victim, Koures charged.

When Kristianson asked Rochek whether he understood that a conviction could result in the death penalty or life in prison without parole, Rochek answered without emotion: “Yes, sir.”

Koures said he still has not decided whether to seek the death penalty. He has 30 days from Thursday to make the decision.

Bence, who has a long and violent criminal history, seemed icy in a previous court appearance. A tattoo on her neck that says “Mr. Chin,” contributed to her tough image. But her voice cracked Thursday and she wiped tears with a tissue and chewed her nails when Kristianson questioned her.

Neither defendant sought bail, and both waived their right to be tried within 60 days. Kristianson tentatively scheduled both of their trials for Sept. 6, but said one of them will have to be rescheduled later if the cases go to trial.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos