Attorney says accused teen shouldn’t be held in solitary

BENTON CITY, Wash. – The 16-year-old charged in the stabbing death of a popular coach has been in solitary confinement at the Benton County Jail since his transfer from juvenile detention Sept. 9.

Robert Suarez’s attorney sought a change in the arrangement, usually reserved for problem inmates, at a hearing Friday in Benton County Superior Court.

“There have been no behavior problems,” attorney Dan Arnold said. “There is no purpose for punishment.”

Prosecutor Andy Miller agreed Suarez should be given his own cell and access to showers and a phone.

“Part of the reason for the isolation is for his own safety,” Miller said. “But he will be transferred to the general population.”

The move will occur within a week.

State law requires that juveniles be separated from adult inmates.

Suarez and 14-year-old Jordan Castillo are charged in the Sept. 4 death of Bob Mars, 44. Authorities say Castillo wielded the knife.

Suarez is confined to his cell 23 hours a day, Arnold said, contending his client has not been allowed to shower for seven days or to call his lawyers.

Miller said Suarez needs to tell jail staff he wants to talk to Arnold. “If he makes a request to talk to his attorney, it will happen within four hours.”

Suarez’s case was transferred to adult court because of his age and the seriousness of the charges against him. His trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 18.

He and Castillo are charged with killing Mars during a robbery at the Kiona-Benton City Middle School. Mars taught sixth-graders at the school and also coached football, wrestling, track and baseball.

Castillo, charged with aggravated first-degree murder, faces a hearing to determine whether he also will be tried as an adult.

Suarez, charged with first-degree murder, is accused of taking items from Mars’ truck.

Suarez “may have encouraged Castillo to commit murder to advance his standing” in a gang, Miller said this month.