Arrasmith Appeals Decision Says He’ll Have No Defense Unless Jury Told About Murder Victims’ Past

Kenneth Arrasmith’s attorneys are seeking permission to immediately appeal a judge’s decision preventing a jury from hearing about the murder victims’ past.

Without that evidence, Arrasmith will be deprived of his right to a fair trial, Roy Mosman said in a motion filed Tuesday in 2nd District Court.

Arrasmith, 44, Sunnyside, Wash., is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the May 17 shootings of Ronald and Luella Bingham in Lewiston.

Arrasmith contends the Clarkston, Wash., couple sexually tortured his teenage daughter, Cynthia, and had a history of sexual abuse dating back more than 20 years.

Judge Ida Leggett last week ruled information about the Binghams’ alleged pattern of sexual abuse of young girls and drug use cannot be used to build the case Arrasmith was acting in self-defense or to protect others. The Binghams were under investigation at the time of their deaths.

Alleged threats made by Ron Bingham to kill Arrasmith or members of his family also were disallowed.

Leggett, in her written decision, said evidence of the Binghams’ past acts is irrelevant and so prejudicial its exclusion is warranted.

“The jury … could conclude that the deceased got what they deserved,” she explained.

Mosman is asking Leggett to rule on the motion to allow an appeal before the scheduled Nov. 6 start of Arrasmith’s trial.

Kyle Richardson, 25, of Lewiston, was arrested last week and charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for allegedly providing the gun used to kill the Binghams.

The case continues to draw nationwide attention, much of which has portrayed Arrasmith as a vigilante hero who did what the justice system would not or could not do.

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