Three charged in fire, vandalism

Thu., Nov. 30, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

Three Cheney residents have been charged with setting fire to a home and vandalizing vehicles to punish people who either failed to pay a debt or insisted on being paid.

Spokane County Superior Court documents say the trouble began in the early morning of June 15 when Christopher Scott Mahan, 21, “consumed a large quantity of alcohol” with Melissa A. Green, 19, and Andrew K. Sturm, 20.

Mahan allegedly became so angry with Chris Chase, who owed him money and had argued with him, that he decided to go to Chase’s home in the 100 block of College Street to “get back” at Chase. Green and Sturm went along to help, according to court documents.

The three allegedly set fire to a porch of the home where Chase lived with his parents. Then, court documents say, they vandalized two vehicles that belonged to Chase’s parents, smashing windshields, slashing tires and scratching the paint.

Each suspect was charged last week with first-degree arson, residential burglary and two counts of first-degree malicious mischief.

An additional first-degree malicious mischief charge was filed against Mahan because he allegedly went on to slash the tires and scratch the paint on Michael Delaney’s Chevy Tahoe.

A landlord, Delaney had just evicted Mahan from a trailer for failure to pay the rent, according to court documents.

Huetter

Grail lawsuit thrown out

A lawsuit against the Idaho State Police filed by the owners of the Grail nightclub in Huetter has been dismissed by the state Supreme Court.

Coeur d’Alene attorney Susan Weeks filed the suit on behalf of Grail owner Lang Sumner, alleging the business had been denied due process by the district court when it granted a state police motion to deny the Grail’s restaurant license.

The state court ruling, issued last week, said that because the Grail did not request a hearing on the motion at the district court level, the allegation cannot be considered.

“This made no substantive ruling on whether they should or should not have the license,” Weeks said.

A hearing in that case, pending in district court, is scheduled for March.

The ruling orders the Grail to reimburse the state for any costs it incurred fighting the suit.

“We’re understandably disappointed, but that’s why you have the Supreme Court,” Weeks said.

A spokesman for the Idaho State Police declined to comment until he could learn more about the case.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.