Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Reported robbery was subterfuge, police say

A reported robbery at a north Spokane convenience store was actually a ruse cooked up by a clerk and a 13-year-old boy, police say.

Spokane police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Zip Trip at 4807 W. Nine Mile Road about 2 a.m. Tuesday. Major crimes detectives determined the robbery was a “set up” by the unidentified boy and the clerk, Robert Swan, 22.

The teen was booked into juvenile detention on a first-degree burglary charge. Swan was booked into Spokane County Jail for first-degree burglary, criminal conspiracy and making a false report.

K9 handler Craig Hamilton and his German shepherd, Leo, tracked the boy’s scent to a home on Royal Drive, a short distance from the convenience store, police spokeswoman Jennifer DeRuwe said in a news release.

Staff reports

Hammond bill bans texting while driving

BOISE – A North Idaho senator introduced legislation Tuesday to ban texting while driving, which isn’t specifically forbidden in Idaho despite two years of unsuccessful legislative efforts to pass a ban.

Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d’Alene, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said the bill is needed. “It’s quite a danger,” he said.

Hammond said past Idaho anti-texting bills have “all gotten hung up over issues of language and enforcement,” and said, “The attempt with this bill is to make it very simple and straightforward and easy to understand. The bill defines what texting is and says if you are driving and texting, it’s an infraction, and if caught you will be cited and fined.”

The measure now will be assigned a bill number and can be scheduled for a public hearing; another bill banning texting while driving, SB 1252, already has been introduced as a personal bill by three Democratic lawmakers. Hammond is co-sponsoring the new bill with Senate Health and Welfare Chairwoman Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston.

Betsy Z. Russell

Man to stand trial on alleged baby assault

A Stevens County man who allegedly admitted to detectives that he violently shook a 6-week-old baby in August has been found competent to stand trial for first-degree assault.

David M. Ordway of Colville was found on Tuesday to be competent following an examination at Eastern State Hospital, Stevens County Prosecutor Tim Rasmussen said. Court records indicate that Ordway demonstrated to detectives how he shook the child. The baby suffered severe brain damage, Rasmussen said.

Ordway is expected to appear in court next week where a trial date should be set.

Thomas Clouse