In brief: Commitment case still with jury

Wed., March 3, 2010

A jury deliberated five hours Tuesday without deciding whether to release convicted child molester Ronald Reo Timm or send him to a secure state facility for life.

Timm, 59, was convicted in 1989 of attempted statutory rape and then again in 1996 for first- degree rape of a child. While in prison, Timm told a counselor that he molested 24 children, all between ages 3 and 7.

To side with the state, the nine men and three women of the jury in this civil trial must decide that Timm has a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes him likely to reoffend if released.

Deliberations are expected to continue today.

Thomas Clouse

Two teens plead not guilty in shooting

Two of four teenagers charged in connection with a shooting in downtown Cheney last month pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court.

Trevien M. Mims and Damon M. Morris, both 17, pleaded not guilty and were given a trial date of May 3. Mims, Morris and 16-year-old Clovy Jaramillo have been ordered to stand trial as adults. Jaramillo’s arraignment was postponed until Tuesday, but he is expected to receive the same trial date.

Those three, and 19-year-old Abran L. Gibson, face drive-by shooting charges. Morris and Jaramillo also face first-degree assault charges in the shooting that injured the hand of Sharanbir S. Grewal on Feb. 21.

Thomas Clouse

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