Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Prosecutors yesterday amended the charges against 29-year-old Ryan J. McCarthy in last summer’s triple homicide, changing the count involving 16-year-old David West Jr.’s death.

McCarthy was charged in the teen’s death with first-degree felony murder, but now is charged with regular first-degree murder as an accomplice.

Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said he didn’t want to elaborate on the reason, as it’s based on new evidence that he didn’t want to discuss.

Defense attorney Rick Cordes suggested the change wasn’t a big deal, although the additional evidence – that he hasn’t seen yet – is not so good for his client, he said.

McCarthy and former Onalaskan John Allen Booth Jr. were both arrested after four people were found shot – three fatally – inside a home off Gore Road near Salkum last August.

Denise Salts, 51, survived, but fatally shot in the heads were David West Sr. 52, his son who was a student at Onalaska High School, and a friend Tony E. Williams, 50, of Randle.

Authorities have said they believe the two men’s Aug. 21 visit to the house was related to a drug debt collection.

Both McCarthy and Booth are charged also with attempted extortion.

Judge Richard Brosey is expected to preside over both trials; Booth’s at the end of August and McCarthy’s in October.
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Read recent stories:

• “Booth’s charges in Salkum slayings dropped back to original filing, trial delayed” from Tuesday May 3, 2011, here

• “Two separate trials on the docket in Salkum triple slaying” from Tuesday April 19, 2011, here

Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter

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