Charge Upheld In Infant’s Death

Sun., Feb. 15, 1998

From Staff And Wire Reports

A first-degree murder charge will stand against a former University of Idaho student accused of shaking his 15-week-old daughter to death.

Second District Judge John Stegner denied Latah County Public Defender Steve Mahaffy’s motion to reduce or dismiss the charge against David Pettit on Friday. Last month, Stegner rejected a motion to change the May 4 trial’s location because of too much publicity.

Stegner rejected the argument that malice aforethought was necessary to charge Pettit. Idaho law states aggravated battery committed on a child younger than 12 that results in death is considered first-degree murder.

A motion to suppress evidence given to police before Pettit was arrested, will be heard at an evidentiary hearing next Friday.

Pettit remains in the Latah County Jail without bond. He also may face escape charges after sheriff’s deputies allegedly found a sharpened toothbrush, a large flat steel washer, two steel screws and a conduit clamp in his cell Monday.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Charge Upheld In Infant’s Death

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Idaho eyes restart of death row executions as firing squad draws near

‘An impossible choice’: Trans Idahoans file lawsuit over bathroom ban

Bomb threat evacuates Cd'A mall