In brief: Man to serve 25 years for toddler’s death

A convicted child killer will spend nearly 25 years in prison.

A jury convicted Avery E. Sam, 38, last August of second-degree murder for the 2006 death of Devon L. Miller.

On Friday, a Spokane County Superior Court judge sentenced Sam to 24 1/2 years in prison. He’ll be on probation for two to four years after he’s released, according to court documents.

The toddler died of severe bleeding on the brain that doctors and investigators believe was caused by violent shaking and blunt-force strikes to his head.

Sam and his wife, Angelique Sam, who was Devon’s great-aunt, were caring for 20-month-old Devon under an agreement between the state Department of Social and Health Services and the Yakama Nation Tribal Court. A review by the state determined the boy never should have been placed in the home because of Avery Sam’s criminal record, which included convictions for second-degree theft, drunken driving and drug possession.

– Meghann M. Cuniff

Boise

House, committee pass field-burning bill

Legislation to clear the way for a return of field burning to Idaho was approved by a Senate committee unanimously Wednesday. It had already passed the House.

HB 557, the result of a mediated agreement between health advocates, farmers and the state, would start a new field-burning regulation program making public health a priority. It would end the state’s practice of keeping field-burn locations a secret and cut off burning when pollution rises.

Field burning has been banned in Idaho for a year under a federal court order that applies everywhere except on Indian reservations.

The bill now moves to the full Senate; it needs passage there and the governor’s signature to become law. The plan also requires U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval.

– Betsy Z. Russell

Measures would restrict stun gun use

Lawmakers are pushing two measures that would restrict civilian use of stun guns because of fears over misuse of the weapons.

The House State Affairs Committee agreed Wednesday to debate a bill that would require residents to have concealed weapon permits to carry electronic stunning devices, such as Tasers.

The proposal would also outlaw sale of the weapons to minors.

At the same time, the Senate is amending a bill to prevent felons, drug addicts, the mentally ill, illegal aliens and anyone charged with or convicted of a crime that carries a prison sentence of more than a year from carrying the weapons.

One of the House bill’s supporters, Rep. Steve Kren, R-Nampa, said he believes the devices are generally safe but wants to make sure people know how to use them properly, especially because some stun guns can debilitate people for as long as 30 seconds.

– Associated Press inland northwest

Summer camp listings needed

Summer will be here before you know it, and The Spokesman-Review is beginning to plan its annual summer camp guide, which will be published April 16.

If you have a camp that you would like to have listed in this publication, e-mail the information to summercamps@spokesman.com; fax it to (509) 459-5098; or mail it to Summer Camp Guide, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.

Please include a description of the camp, location, dates, times, recommended ages, cost and contact information. Submissions must be received by the end of the business day March 21.

If you have any questions, call (509) 459-5485.

– Staff reports