Woman Won’t Be Prosecuted

Kettle Falls-area resident Margarita Kingsbury will not be prosecuted for killing a man she said threatened her with a gun, Stevens County Prosecutor Jerry Wetle said Tuesday.

“We don’t think we can prove lack of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt,” Wetle said.

Kingsbury told authorities she shot William J. Barr, 33, with a .22-caliber rifle after he threatened her and pointed a pistol at her the night of Aug. 20. The incident occurred at Kingsbury’s rural home seven miles north of Kettle Falls.

Earlier that evening, Barr was involved in a violent dispute at the nearby home of Kingsbury’s niece by marriage, April Kingsbury. Witnesses said Barr wanted April Kingsbury, 20, to live with him and was angry when she refused.

Neighbor Mark Friend came to April Kingsbury’s assistance and suffered a superficial gunshot wound in the back of his right leg after squirting Barr with pepper spray. Sheriff’s investigators believe Friend was grazed by one of several shots fired by Jess M. Brown.

Brown, 34, had been living in the area with Barr and was one of several people who accompanied Barr to April Kingsbury’s home. Authorities still are searching for Brown, who is described as unkempt, 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, with light brown hair.