Yates’ Lawyer Files Request For New Judge

Sat., May 27, 2000

By Mike Roarke mikero@spokesman.com

Accused serial killer Robert Lee Yates Jr. has asked for a new judge to handle his case.

On Friday, Yates’ public defender, Richard Fasy, filed a motion to have the case reassigned from Judge Kathleen O’Connor to another Spokane County Superior Court judge.

Fasy declined to elaborate on the request.

“It involves too many conversations that are confidential for me to appropriately make any kind of comment,” Fasy said at his office Friday.

Fasy also has said he may seek a change of venue for the trial because of intense media coverage of the case.

Prosecuting Attorney Steve Tucker could not be reached for comment.

Yates, who turns 48 today, has been charged with eight counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of robbery.

Police believe Yates may be linked to as many as 18 prostitute killings in Spokane and Tacoma. Federal police in Germany, where Yates was stationed in the Army, are looking into the unsolved deaths of 26 prostitutes, and are obtaining Yates’ DNA as part of that investigation.

Yates made an initial appearance in Superior Court last week. He is expected to enter not-guilty pleas to the charges at his arraignment Wednesday.

The prosecution and defense each have one chance to make a request for a new judge. In most situations, the judge who is asked to be removed will not object.

Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen is expected to appoint a new judge to the case sometime next week.

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