By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Murder suspect Ryan McCarthy appeared in court yesterday afternoon with plans a trial date would be set but instead lawyers for both sides agreed to postpone picking a date as they are waiting for results from the state crime lab.
Ryan J. McCarthy
Olympia defense attorney Rick Cordes said his client would not mind giving up his “speedy trial rights” into April as he has yet to see much of the evidence, such as DNA, ballistics and prints.
McCarthy, 28, is charged with John Allen Booth Jr. in August’s triple homicide in the Salkum-Onalaska area. Both men have pleaded not guilty and remain in the Lewis County Jail.
A week ago, prosecutors upgraded the charges against Booth to include two counts of aggravated first-degree murder, potentially putting the death penalty on the table.
Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher indicated outside the courtroom after the brief hearing it’s not likely charges will be increased for McCarthy.
“There’s a chance, but it’s slim,” Meagher said. “I think Mr. McCarthy is appropriately charged at this point.”
Also yesterday afternoon, Meagher agreed to remove the prohibition against McCarthy being in communication with his wife, a witness in the case.
McCarthy’s wife, who lives in Redmond, and his mother were present for the proceedings in Lewis County Superior Court.
The two men are charged with murder and extortion in connection with the gunshot deaths on Aug. 21 of David J. West Sr. 52, his son David J. West Jr., 16, and Tony E. Williams, 50, of Randle, at the West’s Onalaska area home. Booth is also charged with attempted murder of 51-year-old Denise Salts who lived in the home.
Authorities believe the two men’s visit to the house on Wings Way was related to a drug debt collection.
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Read some of the previous stories on the case:
• “Death penalty is on the table” in Salkum slayings from Thursday Sept. 30, 2010 here
• “West Sr. pointed shotgun telling pair of ex-cons to leave his house, triggering triple homicide, unsealed court documents allege” from Saturday Sept. 4, 2010 here
• “Unsealed document: More details on Salkum slayings” from Monday Sept. 6, 2010 here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter