By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The 20-year-old accused of killing Morton teenager Austin King pleaded not guilty today in Lewis County Superior Court.
Jack A. Silverthorne
Jack Arnold Silverthorne, of Renton, was charged last week with first-degree murder and remains held on $2 million bail.
The 16-year-old vanished from his family’s home in the Tilton River Mobile Home Park early on June 23 and was the subject of a month-long search headed up by volunteers. His body was found some 10 miles away off a logging road outside Morton. His skull was cracked.
Authorities believe Silverthorne took Austin up into the woods after a birthday party at Austin’s family home the night of June 22, and his motive was related to an attraction to a girl, the mother of Austin’s child, according to charging documents.
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Read more about the case in “Morton homicide: Suspect had broken hand, victim had cracked skull” from Wednesday Nov. 10, 2010 by clicking here