Boy pleads innocent in killing of coach

Fri., Dec. 3, 2004

Associated Press

KENNEWICK – A 14-year-old boy has pleaded innocent to first-degree murder in the stabbing of a high school football coach, and a judge with professional ties to the prosecutor has refused to withdraw from the case.

Jordan E. Castillo, who agreed to be prosecuted as an adult in exchange for being spared the prospect of a life prison term, entered the plea Wednesday and was scheduled for trial Jan. 10 in Benton County Superior Court.

Defense lawyer Kevin Holt said the trial stemming from the death of King Robert “Bob” Mars in what investigators believe was a gang initiation probably would be postponed, partly because of the seriousness of the case.

Castillo previously was charged with aggravated first-degree murder, and conviction would have carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. The standard prison term for the lesser offense is 22 years to 28 years and eight months in prison.

Mars, 44, of Richland, a veteran sixth-grade teacher and assistant football coach at Kiona-Benton High School in nearby Benton City, was stabbed in the stomach Sept. 4 in a hallway at the middle school where he taught. His body was found the next day.

Robert A. Suarez, 16, accused of encouraging Castillo, faces trial Feb. 22 on a charge of first-degree murder.

Holt asked that Judge Carrie L. Runge, the county’s chief deputy prosecutor before being appointed to the bench a year ago, recuse herself from the case, noting that she spoke of her admiration for Prosecutor Andrew K. Miller when she was sworn in as a judge.

Miller and his current chief criminal deputy, Scott Johnson, are prosecuting the case against Castillo.

Runge, assigned to the case Oct. 12, said she checked with other judges and would already have removed herself if she had felt she couldn’t be fair and impartial.

She said the issue could be raised again later but concluded, “I don’t believe it’s appropriate or necessary for me to recuse myself at this time.”

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.