Two teens charged in car-bashing case

Two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, from Post Falls have been charged with “malicious injury to property” in connection with a car-bashing spree last weekend, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.

The two have admitted to more than 50 incidents of vandalism to cars in the Coeur d’Alene, Dalton Gardens and Hayden area that happened early Monday morning, in which car windows, headlights, taillights and doors were smashed, said Sheriff’s Detective Shardell Ellis.

The motivation appeared to be nothing more than that “it was fun,” Ellis said. “Neither could come up with a good reason.”

The total damage was estimated at about $40,000, and Ellis said the courts will determine whether to order restitution. A citizen tip led to the charges, she said.

Victims outside the Coeur d’Alene city limits can contact Ellis with questions regarding their cases, while victims in the city can contact Detective Brandon McCormick with the city police.

Trial stopped as ‘body pieces’ fall to floor

Boise The murder trial of an Idaho teen accused of killing her parents was halted two hours early when prosecutors opened a sealed evidence bag and spread out blood-covered bed sheets in the courtroom.

Prosecutors in 18-year-old Sarah Johnson’s trial on Thursday introduced the bloody sheets on which her mother, Diane Johnson, had been sleeping when she was shot through the head.

They planned to call blood-spatter expert Rod Englert to testify when court officer Steve McKissick stepped forward. He expressed concern the sheets could potentially produce airborne “biohazards.”

“I suggest we find another way to present the evidence,” McKissick said, noting his concern was with the safety and security of the jurors.

Judge Barry Wood agreed, saying that “body pieces” had fallen out of the sheets as they were opened up.