Man Arraigned In ‘91 Murder Of Two Girls

The man accused of killing two West Central girls more than four years ago was arraigned Thursday in Spokane County District Court.

Michael Tarbert sat with his arms folded as Court Commissioner Virginia Rockwood asked if he understood the murder charges against him.

“Yes, I do,” said Tarbert, 32.

Prosecutors believe he killed Nicki Wood, 11, and Rebecca West, 12, in fall 1991.

Wood’s body was found under a pile of burning pine needles hours after she and West disappeared in northwest Spokane.

Tarbert is charged with aggravated first-degree murder in her death. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

He faces a lesser charge of first-degree murder in West’s death, because her body has not been found.

Tarbert was recently transferred from state prison - where he was serving a 10-year rape sentence - to the Spokane County Jail.

Rockwood ruled he will be held in the jail until his trial begins later this year. , DataTimes