In brief: Teens charged with hate crime
Two teenage boys are accused of damaging a Spokane Valley man’s property because they reportedly believed he is gay.
Andrey A. Babakov, 17, and Svitoslav A. Liashedko, 16, pleaded not guilty Monday to first-degree burglary, second-degree theft and malicious harassment – a hate crime – in an alleged attack Nov. 6 at an apartment at 13303 E. Mission Ave.
The teens are accused of breaking into the apartment and stealing an iPod and laptop computer. Liashedko told deputies they assaulted the victim because he is gay, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies saw blood inside and outside the victim’s home, as well as blood on his face, nose, neck and clothes. The alleged victim told deputies that Babakov and Liashedko assaulted him because he got his ears pierced and “no Russian should pierce their ears,” according to court documents.
The boys were charged as adults in Spokane County Superior Court. The Spokesman-Review does not identify juveniles unless they are charged as adults with serious felonies.
Neither suspect is in custody. Trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 27.
Several bag-use proposals in works
SEATTLE – As the city of Seattle considers a ban on plastic bags, a plastic bag maker plans to push a statewide recycling program as a better alternative to an outright prohibition on the thin, disposable bags at retail and grocery stores.
At the same time, a Washington state lawmaker says he is considering a measure next year that would either ban plastic bags statewide or create a uniform ordinance that cities could use if they choose to restrict them.
Seattle’s proposal would ban plastic bags from grocers, retailers and department stores and charge customers 5 cents for each paper bag as a way to encourage reusable bags. Low-income residents would be exempt from the 5-cent fee. Retailers would keep the nickel to help defray costs of paper bags.
It’s the council’s second attempt to restrict the use of plastic bags to protect Puget Sound. The council was scheduled to hear public comments Monday night, and a vote by the full council could take place as early as Dec. 19.
Amanda Knox looks for book deal
SEATTLE – Amanda Knox says she’s hired a Washington, D.C., lawyer to help her land a book deal after an Italian court cleared her and her ex-boyfriend in the killing of her British roommate.
Knox family spokesman Dave Marriott says Robert Barnett will represent Knox in discussions with publishers and help her evaluate other opportunities.
Barnett has represented the literary interests of U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Knox returned to her hometown of Seattle in October after she was cleared in Meredith Kercher’s death.
The 24-year-old had been in custody since 2007, and experts have suggested she could score a seven-figure book deal. She hasn’t granted any interviews since her release.