Man accused of kidnapping attempt
A 42-year-old man is accused of beating a 20-year-old Spokane woman and shoving her child in an apparent kidnap attempt.
Gerald Shawn Johnston remained in jail Monday night on suspicion of two counts of attempted first-degree kidnapping. Earlier in the day, Spokane County District Court Commissioner Robert M. Seines set bail at $500,000.
According to court documents, Johnston didn’t know Sarah Anderson but followed her to her apartment near Eighth Avenue and Adams Street at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. One of her neighbors, Jeffrey Fromm, said Johnston had followed Anderson’s car so closely with his 1988 black Ford Bronco that Fromm thought the two vehicles were traveling together.
Anderson told police she was removing her 1-year-old son from his car seat when Johnston threatened to kill her if she didn’t get back in her car. She said he struck her face and head when she refused, but she bit his hand and screamed.
Court documents say Anderson’s son was knocked over when Johnston shoved his car seat. The documents also say Johnston fled when Anderson screamed, and neighbor Michael Reid called police.
Police said officer Shawn Kendall and his police dog found Johnston hiding under a bush four blocks away.
Johnston apparently has no Spokane County felony record but has an extensive record of misdemeanor and traffic charges.
– John Craig
Coeur d’Alene
Council to vote on Blackwell Island
The Coeur d’Alene City Council will decide tonight whether to approve the Blackwell Island annexation agreement.
The council postponed the decision last month after Spokane developer John Stone made a surprise offer to pay $100,000 and donate a marina slip for an emergency services boat. Stone owns the adjoining former Foss Maritime property that the city can’t annex until it first takes in the Blackwell Island property owned by businessman Duane Hagadone.
The Hagadone annexation agreement, which outlines fees and other conditions, has been mired in negotiations for more than a year.
No changes have been made to the Blackwell Island agreement since Stone made his offer. It still states that Hagadone, not Stone, would provide the city with a slip for emergency boats.
The 6 p.m. meeting is at the Coeur d’Alene City Hall, 710 E. Mullan Ave.
– Erica Curless