Drug deal suspect pleads guilty, released
The last suspect charged in connection with a drug deal gone bad was sentenced Tuesday to the time she’d already served in jail.
Nicole M. Brown, 31, and four other suspects were charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault in connection to the March 21, 2006, incident.
On Tuesday, Deputy Prosecutor Mark Cipolla allowed Brown to plead guilty to a single charge of rendering criminal assistance. Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark sentenced her to the 90 days she’d served.
Brown was in the house at 3226 E. Fourth when an informant with the Drug Enforcement Administration tried to buy $4,000 worth of drugs.
The suspects threatened to kill the informant, who was wearing an electronic listening device. Federal agents rushed the house as the informant escaped by jumping through a window, causing wounds that required more than 160 stitches, according to court records.
– Thomas Clouse
Fund to help pay for teenager’s funeral
A fund has been established to help with costs for 13-year-old Jesse McNerney’s funeral.
The Bancroft School student died on Easter after a tunnel he built in the dirt at a construction site collapsed on him. The teen was playing across the street from his home in the 1800 block of East Vanetta.
Donations can be made at any Washington Trust Bank to the Jesse Ryan McNerney Memorial Trust Fund.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
Treats ahead for star, planet watchers
Two astronomical events involving Venus, the Pleiades star cluster, Mars and the moon will unfold during the overnight hours later this week.
Starting tonight, Venus will be making a close pass of the Pleiades in the western sky after twilight. Venus’ proximity to the Pleiades continues through Saturday. Venus is easily spotted by its brightness now.
During the predawn hours Friday and Saturday, the waning moon will pass alongside Mars in the east southeast sky prior to sunrise. The moon’s closest pass of Mars occurs overnight on Friday and will be hidden behind the Earth.
– Mike Prager
Probe of shooting by officer nears end
The investigation of Spokane police Officer James “Jay” Olsen’s off-duty shooting of a man he claims was stealing his truck is expected to be completed Friday.
Toxicology reports of Olsen are now being reviewed by detectives, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said Tuesday. Knezovich would not reveal details of the report.
However, television station KXLY reported Tuesday night that the report will show Olsen was legally drunk when he shot Shonto K. Pete in the head. No one from the Sheriff’s Office or the Police Department would comment about KXLY’s story. Pete encountered Olsen outside Dempsey’s Brass Rail downtown about 3 a.m. on Feb. 26. The officer says Pete was stealing his truck. Pete’s attorney says his client just asked Olsen for a ride.
A chase ensued into the Peaceful Valley neighborhood where Olsen fired several shots at Pete, hitting him once in the head. Pete was treated at a Spokane hospital and survived.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner