By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden announced late this afternoon he intends to charge Ryan Joseph McCarthy with three counts of first-degree murder for his role in the fatal shootings on Aug. 21 in the Salkum-Onalaska area.
The 28-year-old Redmond resident was picked up as a person of interest in the case within 24 hours of the deaths, based on information the from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have not said publicly what they believe McCarthy’s part to be.
Golden said in a news release just before 5 p.m. he will charge McCarthy in the deaths of David J. West III, 16, his father David J. West Sr. 52, and Tony E. Williams, 50, of Randle. He also said he will charge McCarthy with extortion.
Golden couldn’t be reached for further comment.
John Allen Booth Jr., 31, of Onalaska, is already charged with first-degree murder of those victims, extortion and attempted first-degree murder in the instance of the senior West’s live-in girlfriend, Denise Salts, 51, who survived a gunshot wound to her face, and other lesser charges.
John A. Booth Jr.
The details of what authorities suspect happened at the house off Gore Road remain scarce, as a primary document in Booth’s court file was ordered sealed by a judge until next week.
Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield has said he believes the shootings were connected to a drug-related debt collection and described what deputies found as “a very sad and brutal scene.”
Several hours after the 2 a.m. call, as detectives were processing the scene Mansfield told news reporters they did find weapons in the house, but he didn’t know if a murder weapon was found.
The sheriff wouldn’t say if it appeared there was an exchange of gunfire.
Mansfield also said they knew there were other people at the house who left before deputies arrived at 2:30 a.m. It was a neighbor who had called 911 about shots fired, he said.
Golden also announced this afternoon additional suspects may be named and additional charges may be filed based on the results of the ongoing criminal investigation.
Robert "Robbie" Shawn Russell
Robert Shawn Russell, 46, of Centralia, was named a person of interest in the case last week and picked up in Tumwater by a bail bondsman who decided to revoke bonds he had posted on Russell’s four pending felony cases in Lewis County Superior Court.
On Monday, prosecutors filed notice they will seek exceptionally high sentences in each of Russell’s four cases.
The sheriff’s office is still gathering facts and some other evidence has been sent out for forensic testing, according to Golden.
McCarthy was just released from prison on July 29. Like Booth, he was under the supervision of a community corrections officer with the state Department of Corrections.
His most recent of six felony chargings in Washington was in Grays Harbor County Superior Court in May 2006, according to information available online from Washington State Courts.
Golden’s news release also addressed the decision his office is contemplating to increase the charges to aggravated murder, a move which would give him the option of seeking the death penalty.
The decision won’t be made until additional evidence is gathered and considered, Golden noted.
He included a lengthy quote: “With multiple victims, multiple suspects and a complex crime scene, this case will consume significant resources,” the elected prosecutor wrote. “However, over the past three years I have built a solid team of trial attorneys, and we are quite capable of exacting justice in this case.
“Whether that will include a request for the death penalty will depend on all the available evidence, including that which is still being gathered by the sheriff’s office.”
While Booth has been charged, his opportunity to make his plea won’t come until next week.
Golden did not note when he expected he would file charges against McCarthy.
All three men remain in the Lewis County Jail.
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This news story was updated at 7:15 p.m.
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Read the last story on the case here.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter