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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Groom jailed after couple wed despite judge’s orders

Thomas Clouse Staff writer

Rodney Tomsha was supposed to be lolling about in Mexico with his new bride today. Instead, he’s cooling his heels in the Spokane County Jail.

Tomsha, 49, had just left his wedding reception Saturday when he was arrested for violating a criminal protection order that his bride, 25-year-old Rachel Dunham, previously had taken out against him for domestic violence. The order prohibits Tomsha from being within two blocks of Dunham – ever.

Tomsha had tried to clear things up before the wedding, asking Spokane County District Judge Donna Wilson to remove the protection order last Thursday. Wilson denied the request.

The couple drove to Coeur d’Alene the same day and were married at the Kootenai County Courthouse, detective Stephanie Barkley said.

Spokane police received a tip about the reception Saturday at Spokane’s Glover Mansion Deux and waited until the couple had waved goodbye to friends before police pulled over their car and arrested Tomsha at 4:30 p.m. at 19th Avenue and Grand Boulevard, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

Dunham had obtained the protection order against Tomsha after two cases of domestic violence were investigated by Barkley last year.

Then, on June 17, just a week before the wedding, Dunham was arrested and charged with domestic violence against Tomsha. She also was charged with malicious mischief for allegedly damaging property at Tomsha’s home, 4730 S. Pender Lane, Cottam said.

The mess went before Spokane County District Judge Sara Derr on Monday, who denied a request by Tomsha’s attorney, Phillip Wetzel, to release Tomsha on $10,000 bond.

Wetzel said the earliest he can schedule a hearing to remove the protection order is Wednesday. “So,” Derr told Wetzel, “he’s going to be sitting in jail until then.”