Two separate trials on the docket in Salkum triple slaying

April 19th, 2011

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Lewis County Superior Court judge today denied the prosecution’s request to consolidate two defendants’ cases from last summer’s triple slaying into one trial, saying in part, he didn’t want to give John Allen Booth Jr. grounds for a successful appeal.

Booth, 31, is scheduled for trial the week of May 16.

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John A. Booth Jr.

Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher suggested the judge could find that judicial economy was more important than Booth’s right to a speedy trial, and postpone it until October when 29-year-old Ryan J. McCarthy is set to be tried in the same deaths.

“One judge, one courtroom, one jury, which is a big deal in this case,” Meagher said.

Meagher said the trial is expected to last a minimum of two weeks and they have the same witnesses, same evidence and same crimes.

Defense attorney James Dixon opposed the move.

His client extended his right to a speedy trial once already, to prepare a response when the state was potentially going to seek the death penalty, he said.

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Ryan J. McCarthy

“Both of these defendants have been in jail for months and months and months,” Dixon said. “And they’ve not been joined as co-defendants.”

The hearing in the Chehalis courtroom this afternoon was well-attended; among those in the audience were the brother of one of the victims, McCarthy’s wife, Booth’s fiancee, elected Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer and all the sheriff’s detectives.

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.

McCarthy’s lawyer opposed the prosecution’s request as well. McCarthy’s trial is set for the week of Oct. 10.

Attorney Rick Cordes indicated his reasons for not wanting to move up that date.

“I’m surprised the state says they’re ready to go,” Cordes said.

Cordes said he is still waiting for reports from prosecutors involving DNA, fingerprints and ballistics.

“I’m not ready to go to trial without all that information,” Cordes said.

Judge Richard Brosey asked Cordes if he also didn’t want his client tried with Booth, because it might be confusing to a jury hearing evidence pertaining to both men when the two are not charged with identical crimes.

The men are charged with murder and extortion in connection with the shooting deaths of David West Sr. 52, his son David J. West Jr., 16, and Tony E. Williams, 50, of Randle, at the West’s home in the Salkum-Onalaska area. Booth is also charged with the attempted murder of 51-year-old Denise Salts who lived there.

However, Booth is charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the deaths of West Jr. and Williams as well as unlawful possession of a firearm

McCarthy is charged with first-degree felony murder in the three deaths.

Brosey said he was concerned about what an appeals court might think of postponing Booth’s trial, concerned about confusion to a jury, and possible prejudice to McCarthy.

“I’m denying the motion,” he said.

•••

Read most recent previous story on the case, here

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

News brief: Find out more about possible four fire department combo

April 19th, 2011

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Members of the public curious about the possible creation of a super fire department along the I-5 corridor in the northern half of Lewis County are encouraged to sit in a meeting set for tomorrow evening in Chehalis.

Representatives from the cities of Chehalis and Centralia, as well as from fire departments in Centralia, Chehalis, rural Chehalis and the Napavine area have been gathering monthly to talk about the idea.

The group has named itself the Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee.

Lewis County Fire District 5’s Lt. Laura Hanson says the public and the news media are invited and encouraged to attend the monthly meetings.

On the agenda tomorrow night are presentations about operations, facilities and fleets.

The committee has selected Dennis Dawes – Chehalis city council member – as its chair and Greg Pulver – AMR, American Medical Response and Fire District 6 commissioner- as its vice chair, as well as adopted rules and procedures for operating the group.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Lewis County Fire District 6’s main station at 2123 Jackson Highway, Chehalis.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

April 19th, 2011

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING DETECTIVE INSIDE THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE

• A 31-year-old man was tackled by two detectives inside the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office yesterday morning when he tried to flee arrest for failing to register as a sex offender in a timely manner. The sheriff’s office said Brian A. Schweitzer was meeting with detective Jamey McGinty in his office about 9:45 a.m. about registering his new address after moving recently to Chehalis from California. Since he had arrived in early March and not registered within the three-day required timeline, McGinty went to arrest Schweitzer, who bolted and tried to run down the hallway, according to Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber. When the detectives took him to the ground, Schweitzer reportedly elbowed on of them in the face. Schweitzer was walked over the the jail where he was booked for third-degree assault, resisting arrest, obstruction and failing to register, Seiber said.

THEFT

• A 32-year-old Centralia man was arrested yesterday after allegedly burglarizing a Centralia residence he was seen leaving. Centralia police reported some of the stolen goods were found when they searched the residence of James T. Taylor. Taylor was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary, according to the Centralia Police Department. The incident is connected to an address on the 500 block of Jefferson Street.

• A deputy took a report on Sunday of the theft of approximately $10,000 of items from a shop on the 400 block of Short Road in Morton. Missing sometime since November were a boat motor, three chainsaws, three generators, camping equipment and fishing tackle, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A deputy responding to a report of the theft in progress of scrap metal from the 12000 block of U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood on Friday made a traffic stop in the Randle area and arrested two individuals. Michael J. Folden, 40, and Oda Couch, 42, both of Randle, were escorted back to where the items were taken from and unloaded the approximately 800 pounds of metal. They were then booked into the Lewis County Jail for theft, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The value was about $150.

• An individual who left his wallet unattended on a computer in the library on the 100 block of South Silver Street in Centralia called police just before 3 p.m. yesterday after it disappeared, according to police.

COUNTERFEIT CASH

• Centralia police took a report yesterday evening of an individual who tried to make a purchase with a phony $100 bill at the 500 block of South Tower Avenue. The bill was easily recognized as counterfeit and the shopper gave the cashier three other bills who said he had found them, according to the Centralia Police Department.

WINDOWS SHOT AT CHEHALIS BUSINESS

• Chehalis police were called yesterday to Les Schwab Tire Center on North Market Boulevard about three bullet holes found in their front windows over the weekend.

News brief: Arrest made in connection with stolen search and rescue equipment

April 18th, 2011

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Lewis County Search and Rescue got back its stolen Honda generator but is still looking for 18 portable radios and other equipment taken when its mobile command trailer was broken into out in Packwood.

A 19-year-old Packwood resident was arrested and charged last week for trafficking in stolen property after he allegedly offered to sell the generator to one individual and then did sell it to another person.

Jesse James Aalmo pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Lewis County Superior Court.

Search and rescue volunteers were preparing to train two weeks ago  when they discovered somebody had forced their way inside the trailer  parked at the former Hampton Mill in Packwood, and tried to break in to three cargo trailers where their equipment is stored.

Deputies arrested Aalmo on April 11 after talking with a man who said he bought the $550 generator from Aalmo for $100, according to charging documents.

Another man told deputies Aalmo offered to sell him a portable radio for $50, charges documents allege.

Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber said Aalmo didn’t admit to the theft and the sheriff’s office is still hopeful the radios will turn up.

•••

Read “News brief: Lewis County search and rescue vehicles plundered” from Monday April 4, 2011, here

News brief: Four hospitalized following Sunday crashes north of Castle Rock

April 18th, 2011

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The (Longview) Daily News reports a five-car wreck yesterday afternoon on Interstate 5 north of Castle Rock sent four people to the hospital.

The Washington State Patrol blamed hail for the approximately 5 p.m. collisions.

Read The Daily News’ story here

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

April 18th, 2011

WOMAN STABS BOYFRIEND IN CENTRALIA, POLICE SAY

• An 18-year-old Centralia woman was arrested yesterday evening in Centralia after she allegedly stabbed her boyfriend in the rib cage with a  pocket knife. Police, called about 6:20 p.m. about a dispute between a young couple, found them on foot near West Cherry and Yew streets. Bridget J. Parker, 18, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree assault, according to the Centralia Police Department. Her boyfriend, T.J. Reynolds, 19, of Centralia, initially tried to flee but was detained and taken to Providence Centralia Hospital with what was described as a minor cut. Reynolds was arrested for misdemeanor assault, for allegedly pushing his girlfriend to the ground. He was subsequently released from the hospital not booked into jail, according to police. Update at 6:50 p.m.: The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office declined to charge Parker, as she was reportedly attacked first and repeatedly. She was released from jail today.

DRIVE-BY SHOOTING COMPLAINT

• Deputies were called yesterday when a man walking along the 900 block of Burnt Ridge Road near Onalaska said somebody passing by in pickup truck pointed a gun out the window and fired it. Lewis County sheriff’s Cmdr. Steve Aust said they think it was a shotgun, fired into the air and perhaps meant to scare the individual, not hit him. No suspect was found, according to Aust.

FIGHT OUTSIDE BAR

• Police and deputies responded about 2 a.m. on Saturday to a report of a large number of people fighting behind a bar in Chehalis. The individuals involved had left before officers arrived in the area of Northwest Pacific Avenue, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

ONLINE THREATS LEAD TO ARREST OF TEEN

• A 16-year-old Chehalis boy was arrested for harassment on Friday on Southwest 17th Street near W.F. West High School for allegedly making threat on Facebook toward another 16-year-old boy, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Police were called Saturday morning to the Lewis County Mall on Northeast Hampe Way in Chehalis where windows were broken out of five different vehicles belonging to mall tenants, including three belonging to the state Department of Corrections.

• Chehalis police were called Friday night to a report of slashed tires on Washington Avenue.

THEFT

• Police were called this morning to the 1100 block of South Pearl Street in Centralia where somebody had stolen the tires and rims from a parked car.

• Centralia police were called Saturday morning about a burglary to a residence on the 1500 block of Delaware Avenue. Somebody forced their way inside and stole cash, according to police.

NO THEFT

• Centralia police are looking for an individual they say falsely reported a robbery in progress to a business on the 500 block of South Tower Avenue in Centralia just after 6 p.m. on Saturday.

DRUGS

• A 31-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon for allegedly trying to fill a forged prescription for Oxycodone at the Wal-Mart pharmacy in Chehalis. Wayne M. Jahner, of Spanaway, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for illegal possession of prescription drugs, according to Chehalis police.

FIRE CALL TO RETIREMENT COMPLEX

• Chehalis firefighters were called about 10:30 p.m. last night to the Vintage Apartments on the 1500 block of North National Avenue to a report of smoke on the third floor. They found a coffee pot had melted in one of the apartments. The resident woke up to a smoke alarm and was unharmed, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

Former Centralia nursing home burnt down, on purpose

April 17th, 2011
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Firefighters stand by on their ladder truck as the former Evergreen Centralia Health and Rehabilitation Center is intentionally destroyed by fire during a practice day

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CENTRALIA – Almost 30 firefighters spent Saturday practicing at a former nursing home in Centralia, eventually allowing flames and an excavator to reduce the building to rubble.

Riverside Fire Authority conducted live fire training exercises on the 1000 block of Long Road, at the former home of Evergreen Centralia Health and Rehabilitation Center.

The building was vacated during the December 2007 flood and then donated to the city.

Fire Capt. Erik Olson said they have been able to train inside the structure during the past two years.

One of the things they practiced yesterday was “hose evolutions”, hooking up various sizes and great lengths of fire hose to extinguish burning pallets and hay inside the rambling commercial structure.

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Members of Riverside Fire Authority watch one end of the former nursing home burn while an excavator tears apart the other end.

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