In brief: Suspect in killing pleads not guilty
An 18-year-old man accused of killing a retired principal who was trying to break up an underage drinking party pleaded not guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder.
In a hearing before Superior Court Judge Annette Plese, Treven Lewis was given a pretrial conference date of May 11 and a trial date of May 21, although the case is expected to take many more months to resolve.
Lewis was ordered to remain in jail on $500,000 bond. He’s been in custody since March 12, two days after he’s accused of punching Frank J. Motta as Motta tried to clear out an underage drinking party at his out-of-town neighbor’s house.
Motta, a patient advocate at the Spokane veterans hospital, died later that week.
Volunteers sought for Latah Creek project
Volunteers are needed to help with replanting native vegetation on six miles of Latah Creek. The projects to improve water quality in the Spokane River tributary are being undertaken by the Inland Northwest Land Trust, Trout Unlimited and the Lands Council.
Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, as well as April 3 and April 5.
To sign up, call the Inland Northwest Land Trust office at (509) 328-2939 or email bnicholson@inlandnwland trust.org. A confirmation email with directions and instructions will be sent out.
Autopsy: Jail inmate died of natural causes
An inmate found dead in his bed at the Spokane County Jail died of natural causes, authorities say.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office Tuesday identified the man as Shelton Teasley, 47.
Corrections deputies and medical staff found Teasley dead on the top bunk in his cell about 12:25 p.m. Sunday when they arrived to give him medication and he appeared to be sleeping, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
An autopsy determined Teasley essentially died of heart problems, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Teasley had been in jail since March 20 on $2,500 bond for a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
$15,000 in jewelry lost in home burglary
A man’s home was burglarized of about $15,000 jewelry Monday, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for tips that solve the burglary, which occurred near the 7500 block of West 51st Avenue. A woman’s ring worth about $5,000 and about $10,000 in other jewelry were stolen.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or submit tips online. Tipsters do not have to leave their name to collect a reward but should leave a code name or number.
Panhandle forest plan deadline extended
The public comment period for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ draft forest management plan has been extended through May 7.
“We understand that these documents are long and complex, so we agreed to extend the comment period after receiving requests from several local communities,” said Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor Mary Farnsworth. “The plans reflect 10 years of working with our partners, communities, and interested publics and we want to ensure they all have ample time to digest what is contained in these documents and provide meaningful comments.”
The documents are available at any Idaho Panhandle Ranger District Office and the Forest Supervisor’s Office; online at www.fs.fed.us/kipz, by phone request at (208) 765-7417; or through email requests to r1_kipz_revision@fs.fed.us. Written comments should be sent to Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Forest Plan Revision, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 or IPNFplanrevision@fs.fed.us.