Homicide suspect arrested in Seattle

The second suspect in the homicide of a pregnant Okanogan County woman was arrested in Seattle on Thursday night.

Brent L. Phillips, 38, was taken into custody by Okanogan County deputies who traveled to Seattle late Thursday to make the arrest. They returned early Friday and booked Phillips into Okanogan County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, manslaughter and evidence tampering.

He is accused in the beating and stabbing death of Michelle L. Kitterman, 25, whose body was found on a driveway on Stalder Road near Tonasket on March 1. An autopsy showed she suffered several stab wounds.

Detectives on Thursday also arrested Tansy Fae Mathis, 29, of Spokane, on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death and booked her into Okanogan County Jail.

Phillips has a criminal record in Spokane and Stevens counties that includes several assault convictions.

Spokane

Wounded dog found in trash container

An elderly dog bled to death Friday in a North Spokane trash bin after its throat was slashed.

In a prepared statement, SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. said the dog’s killer might have been trying to avoid the cost of having a veterinarian euthanize the animal, but the act still amounts to animal abuse and cruelty.

The dog was found in an apartment complex Dumpster at 9728 N. Morton Court by a resident taking out her trash, officials said.

The woman immediately alerted authorities, but the dog bled to death before animal control officers could arrive.

SpokAnimal asked anyone with information that would be helpful in the case to call (509) 534-8133.

Inland northwest

Deadlines loom for removal of studs

Studded tires have to be off cars and trucks by Tuesday in Washington and Oregon.

Idaho motorists, however, have until April 30, as long as they don’t travel into Washington. Violating the studded tire provisions in Washington could yield a $124 fine; the fine in Idaho is $57.

Although studded tires remain legal in the Northwest during approved months, transportation officials in all three states urge that they be used sparingly because of the damage they inflict on roads.

Lawmakers in Washington considered a studded-tire ban this year but the proposal, introduced by Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, died.

From staff reports