In brief: Suspect’s statements OK’d for murder trial

A judge ruled Friday that prosecutors can use statements a man gave to Spokane County and King County detectives in connection with the death last year of a 19-year-old Mead woman.

Kevin Wayne Newland, 20, appeared Friday before Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza. After two hours of testimony, Cozza ruled that detectives properly obtained statements from Newland last June.

Newland is charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the death of Jamie Lynn Drake. His trial is set for June 4.

Newland was seen driving Drake’s Ford Mustang in June and made several purchases with Drake’s debit card, according to court records.

He was arrested in the Western Washington town of Maple Valley on June 27 with Drake’s 1993 Mustang.

On June 29, Newland led Spokane County sheriff’s detectives to Drake’s body, which was wrapped in a tarp and placed beneath the floorboards of his mother’s cabin near Addy, Wash. An autopsy determined that Drake died from homicide by suffocation.

– Thomas Clouse

Two more charged in drive-by shooting

Two more people were in jail Friday for their part in a gang-related shooting outside the Big Dipper at Second and Washington in March, police said.

Wesley Veazie, 19, and Sh-Keenan A. Cage, 20, are charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and riot. Veazie is also charged with drive-by shooting, and Cage is also charged with unlawful firearm possession.

In court documents, investigators said a fistfight occurred between two rival gangs near the Big Dipper on March 15, and later that night, Veazie and Cage planned on exacting revenge, gathering other members of their gang and collecting some weapons.

At the club, Joe White, 21, pulled out a gun from the trunk of a car and waved it around, firing some shots, according to the documents.

White is already in jail on two assault charges, as well as accusations of riot and drive-by shooting.

– Christopher Rodkey

Deer Park

Six Mexican nationals arrested at tree farm

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested six Mexican nationals on immigration violations Friday morning at Spring Creek Tree Farm north of Deer Park, said an ICE spokeswoman.

Shawn Ewart, whose father owns the nearly 300-acre farm, said she was shocked when the agents arrived.

Based on the investigation thus far, it is “unlikely” and “not expected” that the owners will be charged in the investigation, said Tom Rice, criminal chief assistant U.S. Attorney.

Ewart said she was unaware that the Mexican nationals were committing any violations.

Ewart says her family has run the tree farm for about 25 years.

About 90 percent of those who work on the farm are Latino, but Ewart said they are required to give proof of identity and citizenship.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner