In brief: Not-guilty plea entered in death

A man linked to a 1992 killing by DNA obtained from a fake beard pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charge of first-degree murder.

Patrick K. Gibson, 59, appeared via video link before Superior Court Judge Michael Price. Price accepted the plea and set a trial date of July 18 while acknowledging that the case would likely be postponed.

Gibson was charged earlier this month after Spokane County sheriff’s detectives retested some evidence from the cold case and it came back as a DNA match to Gibson, a registered sex offender living in Stanwood, Wash.

He’s charged with the Nov. 7, 1992, death of 48-year-old Brian Cole, who owned Cole’s Traditions in Oak, a furniture store on East Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley.

Police say driver pinned officer

A 17-year-old driver pinned a Spokane police officer inside his patrol car during a chase Monday that ended with the boy’s arrest, officials said Tuesday.

Police were called to a fight near North Chestnut Street and West Mallon Avenue about 10:30 p.m., where people were reportedly throwing sticks and trying to run over others with their vehicles.

Police say the suspect’s vehicle drove toward Officer Art Dollard as he interviewed a witness, causing Dollard and the witness to jump out of the way.

Sgt. Dave Overhoff tried to stop the vehicle after it left the scene, and a pursuit ensued. The boy allegedly hit the bumper of Officer Chris Bode’s police car before Bode nudged the back bumper of the vehicle with his patrol car, forcing it into a spin that brought it to a stop.

But the teen driver accelerated, and Bode was briefly pinned inside his patrol car, according to a news release.

The boy, whose name was not released, was booked into the Spokane County juvenile detention center on assault and eluding charges. He also faces a drunken driving charge. His passenger was released.

Veterans event planned at GU

Experts in assisting veterans to readjust to civilian life will gather June 7 at Gonzaga University for Healing Communities Welcome Veterans Home.

The event is part of the national Military Family Support Initiative launched by Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.

Topics include physical and psychological injuries requiring rehabilitation and the effects of multiple deployments on relationships and employment.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at in the Globe Room at Cataldo Hall. The cost is $10 a person. No one will be turned away.

Licensing chief will retire June 30

OLYMPIA – Washington Licensing Department Director Liz Luce says she’ll retire from state government on June 30.

Luce has served with Gov. Chris Gregoire’s administration since March 2005. She told her staff Tuesday she wants to spend more time with her family and at home in Vancouver, Wash.

Gregoire praised Luce for her work in helping establish the state’s enhanced driver’s license program, as well as tackling costs and streamlining agency functions.

The governor says she’ll begin looking for Luce’s successor immediately.