Protesters Want Action In Boy’s Death Russell Evans Died In 1989 But Case Remains Unsolved

Joey McGee didn’t know 13-yearold Russell Evans.

Just the same, the mother of three understands the pain the teenager’s unsolved death causes his family.

“Most of us didn’t know him, but we love and care about this community,” said McGee. “We want (law enforcement) to know that when one of our children is murdered, we expect it to be taken seriously.”

McGee, 37, organized a small, Saturday afternoon protest outside the Spokane County Courthouse aimed at drawing attention to Evans’ death.

The eighth-grader at Libby Junior High School died shortly after he was found on the Thor-Ray hill near 13th Avenue on June 4, 1989.

His family and a private investigator believe he was murdered by gang members. Police maintain the teenager was the victim of a hit-and-run, but haven’t ruled out other possibilities. No one has been arrested in the death.

The 12 protesters carried signs with Evans’ picture and pointed messages: “Buried in the ground. Buried in the file.” “Murderer free to kill again.” “Spokane mothers camp out for justice.”

Sandy Brewer, a private investigator hired by the boy’s parents, John and Sue Evans, recently said she has information that will identify the gang members who killed Russell Evans with clubs and a car.

The parents have offered a $5,000 reward for information.

Simona White wants police to discover the truth. “I want to find out what really happened,” said White, 21, a classmate of Evans.

“The family needs closure on this,” said Nora Laughlin.

Dan McGee said he’s heard that police pursuit of the new information is being hung up by lack of money. “If it’s money problems, what’s the price of justice?”

Spokane Police spokesman Dick Cottam said that’s ridiculous.

“It certainly has nothing to do with money,” Cottam said Saturday, adding that any new evidence would be pursued. “There’s not ever been a reason for pursuing a case.”

, DataTimes