Two teens plead guilty to burning cross in Elk

Two of four boys accused of burning a cross on the lawn of an Elk, Wash., family with two African American sons pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony charges in Spokane County Juvenile Court.

The two boys, both 17 years old, were originally charged with three counts each of felony malicious harassment stemming from the April 18 incident.

On Tuesday, Judge Ellen Clark upheld a plea agreement that charged the boys with one count each instead of three. Each was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with credit given for time served, and 150 hours of community service.

The two teens will also be responsible for completing a 25-hour study, followed by an essay about racial violence, said Dave Anderson, the father of the two victims, who were also in court Tuesday.

“It’s been pretty traumatic but we’re all working through it,” Anderson said. “The frustrating thing for me has been watching the defense attorneys play their little lawyer games. These boys did it. They should step up and take responsibility and take their licks. That’s just the way it should be.”

The boys, students at Riverside High School, were arrested after admitting they assembled a cross from wooden door molding and lighted it on fire with motor oil in Anderson’s front yard in the 39000 block of Hardesty Road.

The boys told authorities they were bored and decided to burn a cross in the Andersons’ yard. They chose that house because they are “the only blacks living in Elk,” Cpl. Dave Reagan, Spokane County Sheriff’s spokesman, said previously.

“This was a hate crime, this wasn’t a prank, and it’s affected a lot of people,” Anderson said. “I want to put out there that this is not just about my family, this is about all people of color.”

Anderson said the teens have gone to school with his two adopted black sons since kindergarten, and though they don’t run in the same circle of friends, have never had any problems with them in the past.

The two boys were part of a group of four suspects arrested for the crime.

The other two teens, ages 15 and 17, are expected to make their appearance in court in the coming weeks, Anderson said.