Teen pleads innocent in hit-man case
A Suncrest teenager pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges that he tried to hire an assassin to kill his unborn child by beating his ex-girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant.
Charles David Young, 18, of 16028 Suncrest Drive, is charged with solicitation of first-degree murder under aggravated circumstances in connection with his former girlfriend, a 17-year-old Spokane high school student. Beating the girl hard enough to kill an 8-month-old fetus posed a “grave risk to the life of the mother,” court documents said.
Young allegedly paid an undercover sheriff’s deputy, posing as a hit man, $1,620 on Oct. 11 as a down payment.
If convicted, Young could get an above-standard sentence – up to life in prison.
Young also is charged with solicitation of first-degree manslaughter in connection with the fetus. Washington’s manslaughter law applies specifically to the death of an unborn child capable of living outside its mother’s womb.
After reviewing letters of support from Young’s family and friends, Superior Court Judge Al Nielson agreed to reduce Young’s bail from $1 million to $500,000. Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Troberg wanted no reduction, but defense attorney Bevan Maxey called for a bail between $30,000 and $40,000.
Young remained in jail Tuesday night. He is tentatively scheduled for trial on Dec. 4.
– John Craig
Spokane
Tax exemption approved for tower
A multifamily property tax exemption for a 15-story residential tower in downtown Spokane was approved by the Spokane City Council this week.
The exemption sought by Prium Spokane Buildings LLC will provide a 10-year break on property taxes as an incentive to draw development to the downtown area.
The developers of the property at 153 S. Wall St. have applied for a building permit for 93 condominiums and 9,000 square feet of retail space to be built in a 24,000-square-foot parking lot between Wall and Howard streets.
The condos will range from 800-square-foot units starting around $200,000 to two-story units on the upper floors priced above $700,000.
– Mike Prager
Election debates, meetings scheduled
Here are some places to see candidates interviewed or ballot issues discussed:
Today
7 p.m. Forum for Spokane County commissioner candidates, sponsored by the Windsor Community Association, at Windsor Grange Hall, 4417 S. Assembly Road.
7 p.m. Congressional candidate Peter Goldmark at a town hall meeting sponsored by the 4th Legislative District Democrats, North Pines Middle School Library, 701 N. Pines Road.
7 p.m. Workshop on state ballot issues, sponsored by the Interfaith Council and Catholic Charities, at St. John’s Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave.
Thursday
7 p.m. 6th Legislative District candidates forum, sponsored by the Manito-Cannon Neighborhood Council, Wilson Elementary School, 25th and Lincoln.
7 p.m. Workshop on state ballot issues, sponsored by the Interfaith Council and Catholic Charities, at Holy Family Church, 917 Chestnut, Clarkston.
– Jim Camden