John Booth Jr. addresses his answers toward the jury when testifying today in Lewis County Superior Court.
This was updated at 10:54 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – John Allen Booth Jr. took the witness stand in his own triple-murder trial and denied being present when four people were shot – three fatally – at 101 Wings Way in rural Lewis County on Aug. 21, 2010 .
Booth is expected to finish testifying when court resumes after lunch.
The 32-year-old former Onalaska resident, under questioning, told a story of “fronting” a pound of methamphetamine to David West Sr. sometime in July of that year and returning repeatedly to West Sr.’s house to finish collecting on the debt.
On the evening before the 21st, Booth said, West Sr. didn’t have the agreed upon payment.
“I said, ‘how about if I leave my buddy here with you, and as soon as you give me my money, he’ll take off,” Booth testified.
Booth said he had other business to tend to and left the Salkum-Onalaska area home. He said he never went back.
He refused to name the “buddy” who he said came to visit him the following day.
Booth is charged with first- and second-degree murder, attempted murder, attempted extortion and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with shootings. His former cell mate, 30-year-old Ryan McCarthy, has been sent to prison for 14 years after a plea agreement, where he did not admit guilt but acknowledged he was present.
While the trial in Lewis County Superior Court began a week ago Monday, defense attorney Roger Hunko postponed his opening statements until this morning.
They lasted 15 minutes and most of the seats in the courtroom filled up after he announced he had only two witnesses: his private investigator and his client.
The investigator, John Wickert, testified he interviewed John Lindberg, the witness who said he hid out in a back room as gunfire broke out that night in the house shared by West Sr., his longtime girlfriend Denise Salts, and 16-year-old David West Jr.
Lindberg told him West Sr. had received approximately one pound of meth a week earlier from a Hispanic gentleman, Wickert testified.
Booth took the witness stand for some 45 minutes today explaining through his lawyer’s questioning how he sold West Sr. a pound of meth for $14,000 – because of the quality – and when he returned a week later for his money, got only $5,000 of it.
“We figured out a payment plan of $1,000 a week,” Booth said.
Booth said he drove to West Sr.’s house the evening of Aug. 20, because West Sr. had called and said he’d have his money. But he didn’t, Booth said.
“Then we had a discussion, he was gonna have my money later that night,” Booth testified. “He informed me he was gonna be there all night.”
So Booth left his “buddy” at the house, he said. And he was somewhere in Rochester near the casino when he got a call from his friend, he said.
He called another friend “Dee” Draper to pick up the “buddy” and then called someone else to get him from Draper’s house, he said. Devonna Draper, owner of Onalaska’s All In Restaurant and Lounge, previously testified she got such a phone call sometime after her bar closed that night.
The next morning, Booth said, he was at his shop when the buddy came to pick up his car.
“Did he give you a rundown of what happened?” Hunko asked.
“Yes,” Booth replied.
Booth said he took the gun – “I didn’t want him to get pulled over with a ‘burner’ on him” – and sprayed it down with WD-40.
He said he began getting phone calls and hearing the police were looking for him and Robbie Russell on a shooting of West Sr. So he left town, he said.
“I’m a criminal, I’m not gonna sit around,” Booth testified. “I jumped in my car and took off.”
When asked, he matter-of-factly listed off his past convictions; related to burglary, possession of a stolen firearm and assaults, plus intimidating a witness.
“Do you know personally, do you have knowledge of what happened at the house at 101 Wings Way?” Hunko asked.
“I was not there,” Booth said.
Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher cross-examined Booth, beginning by asking about alibi witnesses.
“In my line of work, you don’t really have that,” Booth said.
“You’re armed a lot,” Meagher said.
“Every day,” Booth replied.
Meagher asked numerous questions, and in many cases, Booth was direct in his responses. He showed a photo of a gun, which Booth said yes he wiped off, but no, it was not his.
“Where do you get your meth?” the prosecutor asked.
“Random Mexicans,” Booth said.
Meagher inquired about Booth leaving McCarthy at the Wings Way house.
“I didn’t say that,” Booth said. “I said I left my buddy there.”
“Who’s your buddy?” Meagher asked.
“I cannot currently recall,” Booth said. “I will not currently recall.”
Booth finally offered it was “Joe Nameless.”
“So you refuse to tell your alibi witness?” Meager asked.
“Yes,” Booth said.
And the questioning continued.
“In your business, what happens when people don’t pay their debts?” Meagher asked.
“That doesn’t happen,” Booth replied.
Meagher in his questioning began to recount how West Sr. came at Booth with a shot gun and that Booth opened fire.
“I understand what you’re saying, but no, I did not,” Booth said.
As Meagher recited what other witnesses had said, Booth generally sat back in the witness chair, but leaned forward toward the microphone to respond with short answers such as “That’s not right” and “I was not there.”
Then Meager related the series of events which followed, his questions coming faster and louder, accusing Booth of shooting West Sr., Tony Williams, David West Jr. and Salts.
“And you forgot about Lindberg,” Meager said.
Finally, somewhat sarcastically, Meager asked: “Did you shoot anybody else that night?”
“Thinkin ’bout shooting you,” Booth replied.
That’s when the judge said it was time to break for lunch.
On Aug. 21, 2010 when deputies and aid arrived to the home on Wings Way after an approximately 2 a.m. report of gunshots and a shooting, they found Salts, 51, alive but seriously wounded with a gunshot to her face.
They found three others in the house dead of gunshots to the head; West Sr. 52; David Jr. and Williams, 50, of Randle.
Judge Richard Brosey told jurors to expect to hear closing statements tomorrow beginning 9 a.m.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
To ENRAGED Yes I do recall what McCarthy’s wife’s statement to police. I am apparently the 1% in Lewis county that doesn’t find people guilty until proven innocent. I believe there is a lot more to this case than meets the eye. I think that it is very strange that McCarthy got a plea deal without having to testify. Who struck that deal? Same witnesses..same evidence. He should have went to trial, and he actually admitted to being at the house that night. As usual something STINKS in the Lewis county justice system & with law enforcement. Please Please don’t take me the wrong way. I really do feel bad for you & your family. I have compassion. I’m just not believing that what’s happened with this case is really what happened & they have everyone that’s involved . This county appears to zero in on 1 or 2 people and 1 theory and that’s it..CONVICT. Like I said previously there are too many inconsistencies since the beginning. Again I am truly sorry for your pain & loss.
Also big win for the new prosecutor. I was a bit worried that he could handle the big cases. Smart of him to retain Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher. He is experienced and seems to be able to handle himself well in these capital cases.
George,this is what I mean…You don’t pay attention,I was not refering to you when I said ppl who say he had a choice..Scroll back up and read local me’s comment…I believe it says that everyone in that house that night had a choice somewhere along the line!If I could talk it out with those responsible,you better believe that I would do so but 2 are locked up and the other is dead..So tell me where to start,and yes I am enraged but I don’t think that I am the only one missing the point!I will agree with all of you on one thing “METH” is Fu**ing evil!!!!To you amazed,I do understand exactly what your concerns are but you don’t have some of the knowledge that the family does unless you spoke directly to the lead investigator…I will however say that McCarthy’s involvement was more than meets the eye…If you were following from begining to end,then you must remember his wifes statement to the police..
I am not by any means trying to sound Cold. The death of the 16 yr old boy is a great Tragedy he was an innocent bystander. And I do feel for that family.
1st off George>very good point,that most don’t want to consider. People in this county convict people before they are tried. Guilty until proven innocent! I wasn’t there that night so I can’t say for positive what happened. But if I had been on that jury I could not have come to an absolute guilty plea based on the evidence presented. How blind can you people be?(Remember..IF Booth is telling the Truth..there is still a Murderer out there) The testimonies from the 2 witnesses don’t even match. Lindbergs testimony is virtually impossible if you try to compare it to the lay out of the house. Was ‘Salts” inside or outside? That depends on who you decide to listen too.Did the prosecution explain why there was blood in both of the bedrooms shell casings, a hole in one bedroom wall & who’s blood was it? I am having a hard time believing most of this story from ‘these’credible? witnesses. Let’s be real. Even in the world of drugs if you owe $14,000 chances they want you to remain Alive so you can pay your debt. Think About it! I have read everything on this case from the beginning. Too many inconsistencies. Lindberg said at McCarthy’s trial he hid in the bathroom. In Booths trial he was in a bedroom then slipped behind the 2 men (right?) to the other bedroom. Looks like a Frame up to me. Who is responsible for that drug debt now, I’m guessing Salts and possibly Lindberg.
I won’t even bother to answer your insult with another insult, “enraged”, because it is very obvious that you missed what I said. Your venom and rage have blinded you, so I will try to explain what I said.
I said that your 16-year-old cousin is an innocent victim of the scourge known as meth, and that the blame for his murder be placed on those who put him in that position. That includes anyone in that house that night who used the drug, dealt the drug, manufactured the drug, or committed any one of the various crimes of violence typically associated with the drug.
Nowhere did I say that HE (the 16-year-old) had a choice, because he did not. He was not in that situation of his own free will. Blame those who DID put him there.
On a side note, while I understand your sense of rage at your 16-year-old cousin being brutally murdered, perhaps you should be taking it out on those who caused it to happen instead of on those who agree that he is an innocent victim.
To u corey w,where were u when they were looking 4 his alibi?Innocent,I think not…Does “Guilty on all 6 charges” sound familiar?
well George if u had read one of my comments 2 another part of an article,I said their were many 2 blame…Pay attention asshole!Local me,maybe one day u will feel the fear of that 16 yr old had the night that he had a”choice”..I hope my god is listening 2 ur thoughts…Shame on u and may the lord spare u from ever losing a child in ur family from such a horrible death!Clubkid,Amen 2 u…I would just like to remind some ppl posting awful comments that some of these viewers were close family and friends of this child…Say what u want about the adults involved but keep ur mouths closed about D.J…Heres a fact 4 u,he was a straight A student with many talents with goals and ambitions…2 attend washington state university with my son for one…Maybe u would like 2 tell my son”oh well ur cousins dead,he had a choice”…Shame on all who say that he had a choice!!!!!!!
I find it very interesting that Robbie Russel is doing 6 years at Cedar creek corrections center (a mildly restrictive work camp), Yet Stan Sigler committed a non-violent crime and he is in (hardcore) Walla Walla. Anyone else amused by this?
Enraged, I believe that Cleaver is talking about the world of crime that meth creates, and the trail of destruction it leaves in its wake. And they are correct… look at how many people die or are killed ON A DAILY BASIS because of this drug? But to say “speak to the lawmakers”? Why? Meth is already VERY illegal, and they are constantly taking down dealers, users, manufacturers….
While your 16 year old cousin is an innocent victim of this drug and the crimes it generates, the blame must be placed on EVERYONE who put him in that situation… the “shooter”, the “dealer”, the “user”….
“He called another friend “Dee” Draper to pick up the “buddy” and then called someone else to get him from Draper’s house, he said. Devonna Draper, owner of Onalaska’s All In Restaurant and Lounge, previously testified she got such a phone call sometime after her bar closed that night.”
Should Ony people be concerned about Dee’s ties to the drug world? Is that common for the bar keeper to be so?
How will the law make it “impossible” to make drugs? Medicine is just a controlled version of a drug. Ever seen a kid hyped up on sugar, or a teen on glue? Yes, parents should teach their children to stay away, but it comes down to personal choice. And if that choice to use is made, there are programs available to those users – who want the help.
Not to detract from the awfulness of the case, but everyone involved made a choice somewhere along the line.
well u know what 2 everyone that is talkin shit bout my brother john booth fuck all u he didnt do shit when shit went out there @ the crackheads house he was wit me here in aberdeen so fuck all u guys & yes if u get caught up in dope & u dont pay up then u got to pay sum way whether its ur life or takin it in the ass thats just part of the game but i know for a fact he was not around that crackheads house he was wit me & if any1 has a fuckin problem wit it feel free to hit me up @ 360-500-3448 FREE JOHN “BIGG SIXX” BOOTH JR
Stay away from meth or u could die?Speak to the law makers!!!!!Children don’t have the choice…The parents do!Although I can appreciate your hate for drugs,ppl are going to continue making,selling,and doing them until it is made impossible to do so…Maybe then nomore children will have to die such as my 16 yr old cousin did that night..
Moral of the story is: Stay away from meth and the world that comes with it. YOU COULD DIE!!
Well meth is an ugly business and you put yourself and those around you at risk when you deal it. Some people are dead and this scum needs to go to prison.
I cannot believe what I just read…My families deaths r becoming a big joke and Booth is the one telling it!!!I surely hope that the forensic science and overwhelming evidence speaks for itself…I didn’t do it,I know who did but I won’t tell…I was there but I didn’t see it…BLAH!BLAH!BLAH!One of u just tell the truth already so our family can put this to rest…We know who played what role now it’s time to confess to ur judge and jury..If not now then perhaps when u meet your fate…HMMMM?
he can denie all he wants there was to witness one said that booth shot her