Arrasmith Ad Violates Order, Judge Says

An advertisement in a Twin Falls newspaper in support of accused killer Kenneth Arrasmith is a blatant attempt to influence the potential jury, 2nd District Judge Ida Leggett charges.

The party responsible for the ad in The Times-News violated her order not to reveal where the jury for Arrasmith’s coming trial will be selected, she said during a Monday conference with the lawyers.

But Times-News publisher Steve Hartgen on Tuesday disputed Leggett’s charge that the ad could poison potential juries being selected in Twin Falls County.

Arrasmith, 44, is charged with killing Ron and Luella Bingham outside a Lewiston auto shop in May. Arrasmith turned himself in and has never admitted to the killings. He contends they sexually tortured his daughter, Cynthia, and other young girls.

A check Monday revealed ads had not been placed in any other Idaho newspaper. Hartgen said the quarter-page ad that ran in The Times-News on Sunday was the only one purchased.

Jury selection is set to begin Thursday outside of Nez Perce County. A change of venue was granted because of extensive pretrial publicity in the Lewiston area.