Simpson Verdict Sparks Outburst

FOR THE RECORD: Saturday, October 7, 1995 CORRECTION: Diamond Lake resident David L. Griffus, 47, did not threaten to kill black people, as reported Thursday, in the course of an alleged assault involving a reference to the O.J. Simpson trial, witnesses said.

Authorities say a Diamond Lake man apparently was so angry about O.J. Simpson’s murder acquittal that he punched out a neighbor.

Witnesses told authorities David L. Griffus, 47, was swearing about the Simpson verdict and threatening to kill black people as he walked toward Roy Rice’s house at Diamond Lake about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

About that time, Pete Mele, 62, drove up to Rice’s house to see about buying a boat. Sheriff’s deputies said Mele and Rice told them Griffus walked up to Mele’s car and started punching him through the window.

Griffus went home after Rice told him to stop hitting Mele. Deputies said Griffus was still talking to himself and swearing about the Simpson verdict when they came to his home and arrested him.

Griffus denied striking Mele, who lives next to Griffus.

Although the O.J. verdict may have triggered the incident, Mele said Griffus already was angry with him. Mele said Griffus objected to a yard light that Mele planned to install.

Griffus appeared in Pend Oreille County District Court Wednesday morning and was released from jail without bond pending trial.

, DataTimes