Spokane man could get life sentence under three-strikes law

A spat over gang tattoos and ball caps could send a 21-year-old Spokane man to prison for the rest of his life.

Cole M. Kendall, an ex-convict with a violent past, was one of several men arrested following an altercation at a house party held in the 4000 block of North Crestline Street in early August. According to investigators, two partygoers were kicked out by the hosts after comments were made about a gang-related tattoo.

The two returned with six or eight others, according to court filings, and witnesses say Kendall was among them. The group proceeded to steal hats belonging to two other guests and punch several other people, including the hosts, according to court documents.

Kendall faces charges of burglary, assault, robbery and riot in connection with the incident. Several others have also been charged.

Kendall was arrested on a warrant Sept. 30, after prosecutors requested he be detained as a known gang member and a suspect in the dispute.

Because of the two prior convictions for violent crimes already on Kendall’s record, a third would send him to prison for the rest of his life under Washington’s “three strikes” rule. His previous convictions, documents show, include an attempted assault in 2010 and participating in a stabbing at a party in July 2011 that left two people injured.

During the sentencing for that crime in April 2012, Kendall’s stepfather told the court his son drank and then did “stupid things.” Kendall told the judge he was through committing violent crimes. He was sentenced to 13 months in jail and released in March without supervision, according to court documents.

Kendall is being held on $100,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday.