In brief: Police assault case becomes mistrial

A hung jury led to a mistrial Thursday in the case of a man who was shot by Spokane County sheriff’s deputies.

A new trial will be held for Michael E. Young, 56, who is charged with two counts of second-degree assault after deputies said he pointed a gun at them as they responded to reports that he was suicidal.

Deputies Walter Loucks, Darell Stidham and Scott Bonney shot Young outside his home at 11709 E. Fairview Ave., on Dec. 27, 2009.

A neighbor who witnessed the shooting said Young never pointed his gun at deputies but refused orders to drop it.

The jury of five women and seven men began deliberating about 10:30 a.m. Thursday and announced they were deadlocked about 3 p.m. The trial began Monday.

Young’s lawyer, James Kirkham, said the jury was divided 6-6.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Retired officer cited for crash

A retired Spokane County sheriff’s sergeant blamed for a crash that destroyed a new patrol car Sunday will receive a $175 ticket, officials said Thursday.

Clifford Berry, 63, will be cited for failing to yield right of way after he turned in front of Deputy Chuck Sciortino’s westbound patrol car about 7:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Berry was eastbound on Francis Avenue when he attempted to turn left onto Freya Street. He had a green light, but was supposed to yield to oncoming traffic before turning, said Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Sciortino and Reserve Deputy Kathleen Hurst were responding to a threat complaint at the time of the crash and did not have the car’s emergency lights or sirens activated.

Computer information from the wrecked patrol car showed Sciortino was driving at or under the 45 mph speed limit eight seconds before the crash and was traveling at 25 to 28 mph at impact.

Sciortino and Hurst were treated for back and neck pain at a local hospital. Berry, who retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 1997, was not injured.

Meghann M. Cuniff