In brief: Ex-deputy acquitted in tribal jail case

A former jail deputy on the Spokane Indian Reservation accused of raping an inmate has been acquitted.

A jury found Clifford Arlen Matherly not guilty of two rape charges Thursday in U.S. District Court in Spokane.

Matherly was arrested in June after a grand jury indicted him on charges he raped a woman while she was under his supervision at the Bureau of Indian Affairs jail in May 2008. He was released from jail pending trial.

The acquittal came after a two-day trial.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Reward offered in hunt for suspect

A man officials say escaped capture after trying to fire a gun at a Spokane police officer is wanted by Crime Stoppers.

A reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of Chase J. Earl-West, 22, who was wanted on a warrant for violating drug court conditions imposed for a car theft charge when police went looking for him this week.

Officers were at the Randolph Arms Apartments near Spokane Falls Community College on Monday about 11:30 p.m. when Earl-West allegedly pointed a gun at an officer and pulled the trigger. However, the gun malfunctioned and did not fire, police said. A SWAT team standoff ensued and 30 surrounding apartment units were evacuated.

Police believe Earl-West escaped before a perimeter was set up and the nine-hour standoff began.

Earl-West is 5-foot-8 and 145 pounds, according to Crime Stoppers. His last known address is in the 7000 block of North Cincinnati Street.

Anyone with information on his current location is asked to call (800) 222-TIPS or submit tips online. Tipsters do not have to give their name to collect a reward but should leave a code name or number.

Meghann M. Cuniff

LCHS music program awarded ‘Glee’ grant

Lewis and Clark High School’s music program found out Thursday it was awarded a $10,000 grant by the Glee Give a Note foundation.

“Glee,” the popular musical sitcom, and the Fox network teamed up to award the grants and help keep music programs across the country alive, according to a news release from Enso Communications.

Lewis and Clark was among 492 schools who submitted a video featuring a little song and dance. People voted for their favorites via the Web, and after a million votes 73 schools were selected.

The money will go toward a sound system in Lewis and Clark’s auditorium.

Staff report