Man acquitted in neighbor’s death

A Spokane Valley man didn’t blame his accusers. He didn’t express joy. He simply hung his head Monday as a jury acquitted him of criminal responsibility for killing his fishing buddy.

“It’s a great relief,” said 42-year-old Michael L. Newton, just moments after the eight-woman, four-man jury found him innocent of second-degree manslaughter. “I’m just sorry for the loss for his family.”

On Dec. 2, 2004, Newton’s 48-year-old neighbor, Timothy O’Neil, confronted him and repeatedly challenged Newton to fight after a night of drinking. Tests later showed that O’Neil’s blood-alcohol level was about four times what would be considered illegal to drive.

Newton told Spokane Valley police investigators that he walked to 904 S. Edgerton and pulled on O’Neil’s hooded sweatshirt, and O’Neil fell. O’Neil’s mother, Joyce Cantrell, said she heard her son’s head hit “like a pumpkin hitting the cement,” according to court records.

O’Neil died two days later of complications from a fractured skull. After an investigation, prosecutors charged Newton with second-degree manslaughter.

Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Mary Ann Brady said in her closing statements Monday that Newton caused O’Neil’s death and should be held accountable.

“There is no evidence to support an accidental fall. There was nothing accidental about Mr. Newton grabbing Mr. O’Neil,” Brady said. Newton “went out there … to thump (O’Neil). But once you put that little act in motion, he is responsible for everything that happens afterwards.”

Assistant Public Defender Matthew Harget said that before the fight, O’Neil had threatened to kill someone else, been kicked out of a bar, threatened a bartender and had a knife in his pocket.

“The prosecutor has described Mr. O’Neil throughout the trial as obnoxious. With all due respect, that’s a great understatement. On that night, Mr. O’Neil was dangerous,” Harget said.

O’Neil’s mother trembled as she waited for word from the jury. She gasped when she heard the verdict of not guilty. She left after the verdict and could not be reached for comment.

Newton said he’s eager to get back to his life.

“It’s affected my work career and my livelihood and my health,” he said of the charge. “My stomach has been tied up in knots for a little over a year now.

“I also want to say I’m sorry for the state of Washington for what I put them through.”