Tacoma Man Is Convicted Of Third Strike Bank Robber Faces Life Term; May Be The 67th Such Sentence

A Thurston County jury has convicted a Tacoma man of armed bank robbery, in effect sending him to prison for life under the “three strikes, you’re out” law.

Gerald White, who had two prior robbery convictions, also was convicted Thursday of illegally possessing a shotgun.

No formal sentencing date was set by Superior Court Judge Paula Casey, who ordered the Department of Corrections to verify White’s criminal history. Under a 1993 citizens initiative, criminals convicted three times of serious felonies can be sentenced to life in prison.

White, 45, was apprehended in Tacoma after trying to pay a $10 debt with dye-stained money taken in the May 10 robbery.

“Tell ‘em goodbye for me,” White said before limping away under police escort.

He suffered several broken bones May 13 when, after learning he was eligible for life in prison, he attempted suicide by leaping from the county jail’s third tier.

White’s lawyer, John Sinclair, vowed to appeal.

The state Sentencing Guidelines Commission said 66 offenders were convicted prior to White under the “three strikes” law, which took effect in December 1993.

A preliminary assessment by deputy prosecutor Jack Jones shows White has two convictions for second-degree burglary, two for robbery, two for third-degree assault and one for forgery.