New Judge In Yates Case

Wed., May 31, 2000

By Mike Roarke mikero@spokesman.com

Superior Court Judge Robert Austin has been assigned to handle the court proceedings of accused serial killer Robert Lee Yates Jr.

Yates is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. today in Austin’s courtroom on eight counts of murder and one charge each of attempted robbery and attempted murder.

Austin is replacing Judge Kathleen O’Connor.

Last Friday, Yates’ attorney, Richard Fasy, asked that the trial be moved out of O’Connor’s courtroom. He did not say why.

Meanwhile, the private citizens group Secret Witness has announced it is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the recreational vehicle once owned by Yates.

The motor home is believed to be a 28-foot Class C “cab-over.” When Yates owned it in 1999, the RV was white or tan colored with horizontal stripes on the sides. It had dual rear wheels and a brown interior.

It may have been towed to a lake north of Spokane sometime from late January to late March in 1999.

Detectives are also hoping to talk to a Coeur d’Alene couple who sold Yates the RV. Investigators believe the couple might have a vehicle identification number, the manufacturer’s name and the exact motor home model.

Anyone who has information that might lead police to the RV can call Secret Witness at 327-5111. Callers do not need to leave their name to be eligible for the $1,000 reward.

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