Spokane Man’S Murder Trial Delayed

Thu., Feb. 11, 1999

From Staff

A judge Wednesday delayed continuing the murder trial against Scott Joseph Merrill so defense attorneys can attempt to spare their client from a possible death sentence.

Merrill, 29, of Spokane, is charged in the ambush shooting death of county road worker Charles Watterson.

When Merrill’s preliminary hearing concluded Wednesday, defense attorney Ken Brown argued the capital murder charge against Merrill should be decreased to one that carries no possible death sentence.

Brown claims there is not enough evidence linking the robbery charges against Merrill with Watterson’s murder. The alleged robbery would constitute aggravating circumstances in the murder, which would make death a possible punishment for Merrill if he were convicted.

Merrill is charged with capital murder, aggravated robbery and criminal mischief in the Oct. 29 slaying of Watterson. A lesser charge of homicide, the charge Brown seeks, carries a penalty of five years to life.

Merrill, a Gulf War veteran, was a Spokane letter carrier. The Utah killing occurred five days after Merrill failed to show up for work at the Hays Park Station in northeast Spokane.

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