By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The suspect in last summer’s death of 16-year-old Austin King in Morton appeared briefly in court today as his trial date nears, however, attorneys are moving toward a plea agreement instead.
Jack A. Silverthorne
“We’re working towards settlement,” defense lawyer J.P. Enbody said outside the courtroom.
An acquaintance, Jack Arnold Silverthorne, of Renton, is charged with first-degree murder and remains held on $2 million bail.
Silverthorne spent his 21st birthday on Saturday in the Lewis County Jail.
He is charged with first-degree murder and remains held on $2 million bail. He has pleaded not guilty.
The judge signed an order today allowing a crime lab test which will “consume some trace evidence”. Neither attorney described in court what the evidence was or what article it was found on.
Austin King
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 – who was staying in the trailer park with his grandmother at the time – took Austin up into the woods, and his motive was related to an attraction to a girl, the mother of Austin’s child, according to charging documents.
His trial remains scheduled for the week of June 6.
•••
Read more about the case in “Morton homicide: Suspect had broken hand, victim had cracked skull” from Wednesday Nov. 10, 2010, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Its horse crap! He knew not to take off with Austin and still did it! Manslaughter my rear! Sounds like premeditated to me! The Justice system is almost as bad the the school system…when its paid for by the public, its the children that suffer! Austin was just a kid who had a kid himself!
Bounty Killers inc: Perhaps that’s why Crime is Increasing in Lewis County, because Killers r Bargined with!!!
” Working towards a settlement” what the hell? He sure didn’t try to
reach a “settlement” with Austin. I say hang him from a tree and serve popcorn!!!!
I think it’s b.s. He shouldn’t get a plea bargain. He doesn’t deserve one. Everyone knows he did it, he needs to just admit to the murder and give Austin’s family peace. I think it’s sad that you can pretty much get away with murder in lewis county. He’ll just get a slap on the wrist and let go.