Wandermere murder suspect accused of witness tampering

The suspect in a July shooting near Wandermere was charged Thursday with tampering with a witness.

Jonathan R. Andersen, 31, tried numerous times to contact witnesses in the case and their families, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

The drive-by shooting that left Misty R. Hirsch dead may have been connected to a stolen purse.

According to the sheriff’s office, Andersen’s phone privileges in jail were revoked, among other steps taken to prevent him from contacting witnesses.

Detectives searched Andersen and his jail cell and found a letter that tried to pressure a witness into changing testimony.

The letter included steps the witness should take, according to investigators. The letter also mentioned the witness’s family and encouraged them to stop cooperating with investigators.

“Retract all prior statements to law enforcement that have anything to do with JA,” the letter read.

There were also threats against the witness related to the gang Andersen was part of, according to the sheriff’s department.

“You will not make it to a trial situation unharmed,” the letter read.

Andersen offered the witness a lawyer and $50,000 for cooperation, a statement from the sheriff’s department said.