Homicide trial goes to jurors
An eight-man, four-woman jury deliberated for more than three hours Wednesday but did not reach a verdict in a case against a Spokane man charged with raping, kidnapping and killing a 20-year-old woman.
The deliberations against 25-year-old Brian Frawley are expected to continue today following two weeks of testimony regarding the death of Margaret Cordova, who disappeared Jan. 17, 2004.
Her remains were found more than a month later in a pile of bark near the intersection of Freya Street and Fairview Road in Spokane County.
Investigators found semen in her body that was directly linked to Frawley.
Frawley testified Tuesday that he met Cordova twice, the second time on Jan. 16, 2004. He said she traded sex for drugs about 10 p.m. – a time he could pinpoint, he said, because he had to make it to Wal-Mart before it closed at 11 p.m.
On Wednesday, deputy prosecutor Andi Jakkola had a Wal-Mart assistant manager testify that the north Spokane store only stays open later than 10 p.m. during the Christmas holiday rush.
Assistant public defender Richard Mathisen suggested several other scenarios in which Cordova may have been killed, including her boyfriend, another acquaintance – or even alien abduction.
There are “all kinds of things you can think of that can’t be disproved by the evidence,” he said.
Police seeking robbery suspect
Spokane police are seeking the public’s help regarding a pair of armed robberies.
The wanted man is described as young, light-skinned black or Hispanic, 5-foot-10 and slender. He was wearing a dark stocking cap, a puffy black jacket and blue jeans during each robbery, police spokesman Cpl. Tom Lee said. The man also had a silver-colored handgun.
The robberies occurred at Grocery Boys, 3430 N. Crestline, on Feb. 14, and Zip Trip, 1503 E. Illinois, on Feb. 7.
Police ask anyone with inform- ation regarding the robberies or the man to call (509) 242-8477.
Hydrant vandalism leads to arrests
Two more people suspected of tampering with fire hydrants in Spokane Valley were arrested on Wednesday.
Adam W. Miller and Richard T. Houston, both 18, were taken into custody by fire investigators.
Michael R. Girven and Brandon T. Lopes, both 18, were arrested last week in connection with the vandalism, Spokane Valley Fire Department spokesman Bill Clifford said. A 17-year-old boy was questioned and released to his parents.
Fire investigators continue to look for the pipe wrench used to open the fire hydrants, Clifford said. The vandalism caused hundreds of dollars in damage.
Anyone with information can contact (509) 242-TIPS.
Woman wanted for drug distribution
Secret Witness is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of a Spokane Valley woman wanted for distributing drugs.
Michelle Dominique Fried, 28, is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Office for distributing cocaine, Spokane police spokesman Cpl. Tom Lee said. Her last known address was in the 12400 block of East Mission.
She is described as 5-foot-6 and 165 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has tattoos on her neck, left arm and left ankle.
Anyone with information regarding Fried’s whereabouts is asked to call (509) 327-5111. Tipsters can collect the cash reward without leaving their name.