In brief: WSU team releases mended falcon

A peregrine falcon has been released into the wild after being restored to health by a team of veterinarians and volunteers at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The falcon, named Stephens for the man who brought him to WSU, had a wing broken in two places when he was found near Rosalia. The team mended his injuries without surgery by using bandages to hold the wing in place.

“Because Stephens was young, about a year old, the bones healed rather quickly,” said Dr. Nickol Finch, who heads up the Raptor Rehabilitation Center at WSU. “By using extensive physical therapy we were able to heal the break and have the falcon ready to release in just six weeks.”

Stephens was tagged and freed Friday north of Clarkston overlooking the Snake River. It is hoped he will return to Washington in the spring.

Kevin Graman

Man who shot driver guilty of manslaughter

A jury convicted a Spokane man of first-degree manslaughter Friday for the shooting death of a 24-year-old man more than two years ago.

Allan L. Turnipseed faces at least 11 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Joshua A. Smith on June 14, 2007. Turnipseed, who was taken into custody after the verdict, had been charged with second-degree murder but the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge.

Turnipseed, 52, claimed self-defense and said Smith was trying to run him over.

The two-week trial was the second in the case. In April, a mistrial was declared after a jury couldn’t reach a verdict.

Smith was killed after two encounters with Turnipseed on consecutive days in the neighborhood of Eighth Avenue and Ferrall Street near Turnipseed’s home in Spokane.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Man sentenced in motel lot shooting

A 19-year-old Spokane man will spend 30 years in prison for shooting at two men in a motel parking lot, hitting one of them.

Anthony R. Covert was found guilty of attempted murder, first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and two weapons charges in a Nov. 7, 2008, shooting at the West Wynn Motel, 2701 W. Sunset Highway. Injured in the attack was Shane L. Hagedorn, of Spokane, who suffered bullet wounds to his stomach.

“I think you present a danger to the community,” said Judge Tari Eitzen, who imposed the prison sentence Friday after presiding over the trial. “I think five years from now, 10 years from now, the light bulb’s going to go on and you’re going to say ‘What was I thinking?’ But that light bulb hasn’t gone on yet.”

After listening to tearful statements from Hagedorn’s family, Covert apologized but blamed Hagedorn for instigating the fight.

“I’m not this monster that this whole thing makes me out to be,” Covert said.

Meghann M. Cuniff