In brief: Teen killer sentenced to 18 years

Convicted killer Kory J. Bruno, 17, apologized Friday to his family and to the grieving family of the 19-year-old man whom Bruno helped rob, kill and stash in the basement of the home where they were living.

“Your Honor, you have a hard decision,” Bruno told Superior Court Judge Neal Rielly, “You have to send a boy to prison. Sleep well tonight. Know what you did was right and just.”

The judge ordered him to serve 18 years in prison.

Bruno, who was charged as an adult, and Kevin D. Stevens, 19, both previously pleaded guilty to beating 19-year-old Peter Michael Joseph over the head with a baseball bat in March to steal money and drugs.

Bruno and Stevens then wrapped Joseph in a tarp, bound his hands and feet in duct tape and stashed his body in the basement of the home at 7721 E. Trent Ave. in Spokane Valley. The body remained there undiscovered for about five weeks.

Joseph’s mother, Maria Joseph, wept as she described how she often went by the house only to have Bruno assure her that he didn’t know where Joseph was and that he would be fine.

“I hurt so much. My heart is so broken,” Maria Joseph said.

As she walked to the podium, Bruno mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

In the end, Rielly gave Bruno the same sentence that he previously gave Stevens after both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

“You are a good-looking young man with a ton of potential,” Rielly said. “But you chose to do this crime.”

Man arrested in church burglary

A 23-year-old Elk-area resident was arrested Friday, and sheriff’s deputies were looking for a Shadle Park High School student in connection with a church burglary that caused thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Robert J. Frates, 4125 E. Oregon Road, was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary and first-degree malicious mischief. Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan didn’t name the 17-year-old Shadle Park suspect.

Reagan said the burglary occurred sometime overnight Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 34221 N. Newport Highway, and was discovered about 5 a.m. Friday by a church worker who locked herself into an office and called for help.

Deputies didn’t find the burglars in the church, but Reagan said an officer followed “very distinct” tracks to a mobile home park across the highway and found a home the suspects had entered. Residents of the mobile home park directed officers to Frates’ home.

Reagan said Frates had property stolen from the church when officers confronted him, and his shoes “exactly matched the footprints at the burglary.”

The burglars broke a window to enter the church and destroyed several “very expensive” interior doors by using a large rock to beat apart the doorknobs and hasps, Reagan said.

Information sought on four suspects

Secret Witness is offering cash for information leading to the arrests of four suspects wanted in different crimes.

Heidi Leann Olson, 24, and Lonnie V. Fontaine, 26, have warrants charging them with theft, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Olson is described as white, 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, with blond hair and hazel eyes, Reagan said. Fontaine is described as 5-foot-6 and 145 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

Oladejo B. Olajoyegbe, 18, is wanted on suspicion of first-degree robbery and second-degree identity theft, Reagan said. Olajoyegbe is described as black, 6-feet tall and 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Michael S. Budik, 25, is wanted for obstructing police, malicious mischief and escape from community custody, Reagan said. Budik is described as 6-foott-2 and 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of any of these suspects should call (509) 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their name to collect the reward but should leave a code name or number.

LaLiberte, police volunteers honored

Dozens of volunteers who donated an estimated $1 million worth of labor to the Spokane Police Department last year were honored Friday night by Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession and Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick.

About 100 people attended a ceremony at City Hall in which Gene LaLiberte was named Volunteer of the Year for 2006, and several more volunteers received other awards.

As co-director of the department’s senior volunteer unit, LaLiberte helped supervise some 50 other volunteers in a variety of support roles. LaLiberte has worked in the program since 1990 and donated more than 2,000 hours last year.

Others who received awards Friday included: Ray Ripley, senior volunteer of the year; Cory Lyons, reserve police officer of the year; Patrick Emery, co-op of the year; and Cody Harder, Explorer of the year.

Reserve officers are commissioned lawmen who work side by side with paid officers, while members of the co-op program are college students with an interest in law enforcement. Explorers generally are high school students considering careers in law enforcement.

Cpl. Tom Lee, the department spokesman, said police volunteers donated 44,000 hours of service last year – equivalent to 22 full-time employees.