Strange Gets 25 Years In Beating Death

Sat., Feb. 6, 1999

From Staff

The accomplice of the person who beat a Spokane man to death with a baseball bat last summer was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison.

Curtis Strange, 22, was convicted last fall of first-degree murder.

Nineteen-year-old Nathaniel Roberts, who bludgeoned to death Timothy Cowen, 23, received a 32-year prison term last week.

The two men told police they met Cowen at Mission Park shortly before midnight on Aug. 12. During an argument over a debt, Roberts struck Cowen in the head with the bat several times.

Strange, who described himself as one of Cowen’s best friends, helped Roberts steal the victim’s bike and about $20 from his pockets.

Defense attorney Tom Krzyminski sought a lenient sentence of 22 years, citing Strange’s abusive childhood and lack of prior record. He also pointed out that Strange, like Cowens, is developmentally disabled.

Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Tony Golik requested the high end of the sentencing range - a 28-year term. Superior Court Judge Paul Bastine decided Strange deserved a midrange sentence.

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