This news story was updated at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday March 30, 2011
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The death penalty is off the table for John Allen Booth Jr., a defendant in last August’s triple slaying inside a Salkum-Onalaska area home.
Booth, 31, is charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of David J. West Jr., 16, and Tony E. Williams, 50, of Randle.
Deputies investigate off Gore Road on Aug. 21, 2010
He is also charged in the death of David J. West Sr. 52, and the non-fatal shooting of 51-year-old Denise Salts. He has pleaded not guilty.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer filed notice on Friday he will not seek the death penalty if Booth is convicted.
“After looking at everything, meeting with the family, looking at the case and talking with prosecutors inside and outside the office, I decided not to seek the death penalty,” Meyer said today.
Meyer declined to share what the victims’ family members thought of his decision, saying those are private conversations.
Previous Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden left the potential option open, but was voted out of office in November. Meyer, a former defense attorney, stepped into the elected position in January.
Booth’s attorney, James Dixon, said his client is pleased with the prosecutor’s decision, and anxious to proceed to trial.
Booth and former prison cell mate Ryan J. McCarthy, 29, of Redmond, are charged in the case.
Authorities have said they believe the two men’s Aug. 21 visit to the house on Wings Way off Gore Road was related to a drug debt collection.
Booth, a former Onalaska resident, is set for trial the week of May 16, however, prosecutors have asked a judge to consolidate the two cases into one trial.
McCarthy’s trial is scheduled for the week of Oct. 10.
Dixon indicated he will oppose the motion.
“He has a right to a speedy trial,” Dixon said in an emailed note. “He has waived that right already, but that waiver does not extend to the date currently set for Mr. McCarthy’s trial.”
•••
Read background on the case:
• “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
Williams97:
According to this article, one of the factors in NOT seeking the death penalty for Booth is the consideration of the families. Are you satisfied with the prosecutor’s decision?
tony williams was my uncle … had a very loving family and children and thanks to this POS none of us will ever see him again.. and for those who say it was strictly drug related are wrong if you read the story and events that lead up to this it proves my uncle was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. my dad lost his brother and his best friend.. they spent everyday together, fishing working on cars and motorcycles, they were insepereable. its taken a toll on him and our family .. it sucks losing someone to a situation like this.
Ok how is The servivers ? does she need any help ?
I CAN’T IMAGIANE WHAT THE FAMILIES MUST FEEL …..I HOPE SOMEBODY AINT LOOKIN FOR RELETION I JUST CHECKED OUT THE POLLS FOR THE DEATH PENALTY ITS LIKE 78% YES TO 21.%SOMETHING LIKE THAT ……….. WOW
especialy for the innocent dave jr and tony williams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
they should seek the death penalty.
Ok for one dave sr. did banish a shotgun but that’s after he went outside and talked to booth privately. He then comes back in all stressed out asks to borrow money from a friend which then dave says that’s not enough and grabs a shotgun. Ok here is it i new all of them VERY WELL mind you except for booth and his acc. which dave didn’t either. I know that dave was terrified of guns therefore when he come back inside his home he must of been one hella scared individual to grab a shotgun. The only reason he had the guns cause he was scared for him and his family. I know we had talked to him on thursday before he was killed and he was shaking then. metion “now they had threatened my family”
HELLO FOLKS WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG W/ ALL U PEOPLE….