Denise Salts, left, has a victim's advocate read her statement to the court during John A. Booth's sentencing on Friday in Lewis County Superior Court. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
This was updated at 3:23 p.m. and 7:22 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Convicted triple murderer John Booth Jr. turned toward the packed courtroom benches this morning after he was sentenced to life in prison and loudly, clearly stated: “Fuck you.”
It wasn’t clear who he was specifically addressing, but he had just listened to victims and their families for some 20 minutes tell the court he was a loser who should never again see the light of day.
David "D.J." West Jr.
Because Booth’s conviction yesterday gave him a “third strike”, the mandatory sentence he got today was life in prison with no chance for release.
Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey told the courtroom the slayings were among the most gruesome in modern Lewis County history.
“Your conduct was vicious,” Brosey said.
“If there’s a case that justifies the death penalty in Lewis County, this would have been it,” the judge said.
Three jail guards sat directly behind Booth, with at least two more in the room along with a large number of sheriff’s deputies.
David West Sr.
The 32-year-old former Onalaskan was found guilty by a jury yesterday on all counts: first-degree murder for the deaths of 16-year-old David “D.J.” West Jr. and 50-year-old Tony Williams of Randle. He was also convicted of second-degree murder for David West Sr., 52, and the attempted murder of Denise R. Salts, 52, as well as attempted extortion and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Booth denied even being present when the four were shot in their heads, but the jury took less than two hours to make its decision.
Tony Williams
Two people who survived the events of Aug. 21, 2010 inside the Salkum-Onalaska area home addressed the court before Booth was sentenced.
John Lindberg held a blue bandana-handkerchief in his hand as he came forward to speak.
He thanked the offices of the sheriff and prosecutor and apologized to the court for the profanity he repeated when he testified.
“I’d just like to say to Mr. Booth, thank you for not killing me,” Lindberg said.
The 59-year-old plumber hid in a back room in the house during the shootings.
Lindberg shared the prayer he says every morning and night: “I pray he should never see the light of day again,” he said. “For as long as you are on God’s green earth.”
Denise Salts sat with a victim’s advocate who read her statement.
Salts had written it’s her turn to smile, “you’re the loser now.”
“There’s an angry part of me that wants to curse, swear and yell at you,” the advocate read. But then she thinks of Dave, D.J. and Tony, she said.
Tony William’s brother’s girlfriend, who did not give her name, said she believed Williams laid down his life for a friend that night. She spoke of the man, whose 13-year-old son and brother sat in the audience listening.
“Tony was our brother and best friend and some killer took him away from his family,” she said.
Jessica Porter conveyed her anger directly to the defendant, in an exchange not everyone in the courtroom could hear but continued until the judge asked her to address him.
“You took my brother, my dad, and you still sit here smirking and smiling,” Porter said to Booth. “And what did you get out of that? Nothing.”
Jessica Porter, left, addresses the court with her mother Jodi Porter by her side. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
David “D.J.” West Jr.’s mother, Jodi Porter, spoke just a few words.
“Life in prison is too good for you,” she said. “Not that it matters to you, but you will meet your maker.”
Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher and Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead had argued to jurors Booth and his former cell mate Ryan McCarthy visited the Wings Way house because they were “taxing” West Sr. on behalf of Lewis County drug dealer Robbie Russell.
The prosecutors contended when West Sr. brought out a shotgun to get them to leave, Booth shot him with a 9 mm handgun. The shootings that followed were executions to eliminate witnesses, prosecutors argued.
Meagher gave his sentencing recommendation to the judge.
“I guess as we say, strike one, strike two and, my gosh, strike three, four, five and six,” Meagher said. “This man needs to be sent to prison without the possibility of release.”
Port Orchard-based defense attorney Roger Hunko agreed the life without parole was the sentence the judge would impose.
John Booth Jr. listens to proceedings, seated next to his lawyer Roger Hunko. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
When Judge Brosey gave Booth his opportunity to speak, Booth just said: “How about some probation?”
“For what,” the judge asked.
“Probably for when you kick me loose,” Booth replied.
The judge moved on.
When the judge imposed the sentence, he told Booth he didn’t think anyone in the courtroom, with the exception of Booth, believed a word of his testimony.
Brosey called Booth’s actions senseless.
He told Booth he could expect his first year in Walla Walla at the state penitentiary to be locked up alone in a cell the size of the judge’s bench and then remain in prison for the rest of his life.
That’s what you deserve, Brosey said.
Booth refused to sign his judgement and sentence document.
The judge held Booth in contempt and threatened to take away his credit for 478 days he’s already served. Brosey also suggested guards should help him affix his fingerprints to the document down in the jail instead of in the courtroom.
When the judge was finished, Booth asked: “Do I get to say anything?”
“You’ve said all you’re gonna say,” Brosey said.
By then, a line of seven law enforcement officers had filled the aisle in between the rows of courtroom benches.
That’s when Booth turned to the audience and made his final statement: “F*** you.”
The outburst elicited at least one “Rot in hell” and several other remarks to the defendant.
Hunko filed a notice of appeal.
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Jail guards and sheriff's deputies keep close to John Booth Jr. and block a path towards audience members and the door. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
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The courtroom on the top floor of the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis is filled during the sentencing. / Photo by Sharyn L. Decker
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Chief Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher consults with Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead and sheriff's detective Bruce Kimsey. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
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Tony Williams' brother Danny Williams and son Cody Williams listen to court proceedings. / Photo by Sharyn L. Decker
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John Lindberg addresses the court. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
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Judge Richard Brosey presides over the murder case of John Allen Booth Jr. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
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John Allen Booth Jr. is led out of the courtroom and back down to the jail. / Courtesy photo by Bradd Reynolds
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
dough…you are just another dumbass doper who thinks anyone gives a shit whether you or your dumbass bro live or die. what’s really to bad is that we the taxpayers have to support your sorry ass excuse for a human brother for the rest of his life. with any luck at all he’ll contract aids from new his gf while he’s there.
U KNOW WHAT EVERYONE JUST NEEDS TO BACK OFF MY BROTHER SIXX. IT’S FUNNY GOT TO RUN UR MOUTH WHEN HE AIN’T OUT TO DEFEND HIMSELF THAT’S NOT RIGHT. BUT HE WILL BE HOME SOON AND WE BOTH CAN TELL EVERYONE THAT DONT LIKE HIM TO GO TO HELL. THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY 😉
Lets hope all that blood money eases your anger… maybe if you inbreeds would have cared as you all state you could have sent them all to treatment and got them out of that lifestyle instead of sitting around getting high with them…
I cant believe hes actually trying to get out he needs to be freed to the family of the child he killed then justice could really be served r.i.p. david james west jr we will always luv and miss you there is an empty spot in all our hearts now that ur in heaven sad thing that he killed a wonderful great kid that had such a brite future and it all was taken by booth scum bag and the other lil *itch involved you both took my aunts only son away from her for dirty money and drugs its sad to think they both are still able to breathe in there and a poor sister wont ever be able to show her kids to her lil brother or dj wont ever be able to graduate or go to college or have his own children so for the ones who try and speak out to the kid killers just sit back and think wut if it was ur kid or family member killed by these sickos
Thank you, M and Amazed…. I knew he was in prison, and I knew it wasn’t for very long….
And thank you, M, for the additional reminder of what he was doing/who he was with/who he ratted out.
And a BIG Thank you to Sharyn for her excellent reporting, and for helping us keep informed.
Lets be clear,he did not kill a child..R u f**king kidding me?That was my 16 yr old cousin that was murdered,the same age as my son and I do believe that being 16 makes u not yet an adult!!!Amazed my family have some of the same question that u have,although there is more 2 the story just not something I will discuss…Even if Booth was not the shooter which he was,he still would have been just as guilty…Yes..My uncle was responsible but not alone…when u say that, then ur saying that they were justfiable exacutions?Not really sure where ur logic is in that statement..2 u that lost the 21 yr old family member 2 murder,I share ur pain,sadness,anger and confusion…My family prays that complete truth will emerge and at least we may be able 2 let go of some of this rage..It’s very consuming and unhealthy…Just 4 the record…It will be anything but a welcome home party,I can promise u that!
In response to George, it’s my understanding that Robbert Russell received a reduced six-year sentence based on his work as confidential informant. One case being when he tipped off police and facilitated the capture of Robert Maddaus, another notorious Lewis County meth seller/murderer. Refer back to Sharon’s January 14 post- Robert Russell was driving the Corvette the night Maddaus was apprehended- a Corvette containing 2.5lbs of meth, 1/2lb of coke, a 9mm and more.
Thank you George. and yes Robbie Russell was sentenced to 6 years. And I might add not Charged in connection with this at all. I don’t see where this is a total victory. If prosecution is correct on their ‘theory’ then in less than 6 years Robbie will be out to collect that debt. Drug dealers don’t care who pays, just as long as it gets paid. BUT, if anything that Booth said was true. If he really did ‘front them a pound of Meth’ & leave a ‘buddy’ at that house that night & who was (as testified by Dee Dee the bar owner) picked up by Dee Dee. Then was that the shooter? Was it indeed McCarthy? The one who plea bargained his way to 14 years without testifying against Booth. (Who’s dumb deal was that?). I realize there were 2 witnesses though their stories don’t match as to who was where inside/outside the house. They couldn’t seem to get their own story completely straight. Again people….I’m not saying Booth didn’t do it or wasn’t involved. It just appears that some things that should be common sense to trigger thought have been dismissed to get a quick conviction. I have never understood that in this County. 1 theory 1 suspect = Conviction.
Amazed said “But keep in mind..according to prosecution Booth was working for Robbie Russel & from what I can tell that debt owed hasn’t been paid yet.”
How long did he get in prison? I can’t remember… but it wasn’t for too many years… 6 or something like that…. and we know that these meth-heads don’t forget who owes them money… they go after anyone they can even remotely associate with the one who actually owes the debt….
To Leroy: Actually I have been in court though not on my behalf. I have a family member who was just 21 yrs old who was murdered in a similar way along with 2 other people & again 1 survivor/witness (no drugs were involved & thankfully it wasn’t in this County). That 1 witness almost helped put the wrong person away for life. Maybe that’s why I have a different view of this case. It was only that one witness that said this guy was there & there was certain evidence that could have found that innocent man guilty. That’s why it’s called ‘circumstantial evidence’. It was only by the mistake of the real murderer that He was caught, tried and convicted. Like I said before, I’m not saying he didn’t do it. I wasn’t there. In this case, just with the witness testimonies alone there are inconsistencies. Didn’t anyone notice that some fine details didn’t match? It doesn’t matter now. Lewis county got their man & Booth will spend life in prison. But keep in mind..according to prosecution Booth was working for Robbie Russel & from what I can tell that debt owed hasn’t been paid yet.
Are you serious? One sum bag eliminates another scum bag and this is a crime? The sad part is that he did indeed take the life of innocent bystanders. Yet look at it this way, if the victim was a good family man, law abiding, citizen and taking care of his business he would be alive today. His path would never have crossed that of these scum bags. These are the consequences for doing business… Let this be a lesson, live by the sword you die by the sword. As for his prison term let’s be clear he did not kill a “child”. I’m sure that I will get a lot of “you are going to hell” comments but if you read the paper you will find that there are very few victims in the game of life except for those who get caught in the middle of circumstances. Nobody has anyone to blame but the teens father for what had happened. I am not a Booth fan nor am I on his bandwagon, I am just looking at the full spectrum…
What is the point of speculating towards the conditions of this mans imprisonment?
It is completely irrelevant what kind of reception he gets from the other inmates, and anything that does or does not occur cannot be considered punishment or endorsement.
In this country, we have laws that when broken carry the consequence of legal punishment. Legal punishment is assigned by courts and implemented by it’s agents. Prisoners are not agents of the courts, and any punishment or endorsement is unrelated to justice, and instead is more crime.
Unless you would welcome similar treatment for yourself, stop promoting the idea people get what they deserve at the hands of criminals. That’s what our courts are for.
I disagree.
This time he will be a lifer in Prison for executing a child.
Other lifers in prison tend to take out a lot of their frustrations against child killers. If there’s anything Booth needs to be remembered for in the papers, it should be this. He shot and murdered a child who did absolutely nothing to him.
It’s unlikely that prison will be “hell on earth” for Booth, and I can state with some certainty that he won’t be killed in prison. As this isn’t his first time in the system (he’s already served plenty of time on his first two strikes), he has established alliances/friends in prison, at more than one institution. So, although unfortunate, I imagine his return to prison to be more of a “welcome home” party.
Amazed you haven’t been to court much. When the attorneys bring evidence and you get to hear it. When the judge say inadmissible evidence, strike that. The influence is gone…. right? However when you have two survivors from the event in court, you have a finger, pointing at the killer from two people, how does the media affect those in the jury any more than the two who survived? How about a little probation, ha ha ha ha.
By God, I think I’ve just had my faith in the judicial system renewed. Rotting until he dies of old age is better than being on death row for the next 20+ years, with the hope that he will not be executed. Now, he has nothing to look forward to but the day when he draws his last breath and succumbs to death’s cold grip.
Welcome to hell on earth Mr. Booth. I hope your stay is a very long one.
“Kind of like taxing.” Good one!
Because 15- 20 years of appeals is very expensive . Booth will die in prison , not from old age , it will be because he killed a kid . Lifers have no problem killing other lifers who kill kids . Booth will be in general population , he will be popular , not in a good way though . He has dues to pay . Kind of like taxing .
so basicly booth got nothing for killing 3 people. He would have gotten life anyway.
From what I have read on the prosecuting of the Death Penalty in Washington. The prosecutor would have had to at least charge him with Aggravated murder under the RCW’s & then proceed to Prove it was Aggravated murder to the Jury. Though with this jury I think they could have charged him with anything and they would have found him guilty. I’m not saying that he is not guilty. I’m just saying I feel the Jurors were influenced over time through the media. It’s kind of hard to clear your mind completely of things that have been in the news.
“If there’s a case that justifies the death penalty in Lewis County, this would have been it,” the judge said.
Makes you wonder why the prosecutor didn’t do that in the first place. Can anyone shed some light on the reasoning for this?