Latest news with #SpokaneCountySuperiorCourt
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing 34-year-old homeless man in downtown Spokane
May 22—A 22-year-old who beat a sleeping homeless man to death with a large rock nearly four years ago in downtown Spokane was sentenced Thursday to more than 10 years in prison. Aaron R. Holder pleaded guilty as charged Thursday to second-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old Justin Combs before Spokane County Superior Court Judge Andrew Van Winkle handed down the 123-month sentence, recommended by the prosecution and defense. Court documents indicate a woman came across an injured man, identified as Combs, the morning of June 7, 2021, outside the Intermodal Center, 221 W. First Ave. She notified security, who called the police. A police officer found Combs severely injured and bleeding from his head inside a sleeping bag. He assisted with first aid until medics arrived. Combs died at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center 10 days after the assault. A detective noted blood stains on the sidewalk and scuff marks consistent with a rock impacting it, according to documents. A large piece of basalt rock, which had a blood stain and sleeping bag filler stuck to it, also had scratches consistent with hitting the sidewalk. Police believe Holder used the rock, which weighed about 51 pounds, to beat Combs. Surveillance video from a nearby business showed a thin white man, roughly 20 years old, with brown hair, light gray sweatpants, a blue or purple hoodie and a colored blanket approach Combs at 5:43 a.m. while he was sleeping on the sidewalk. The man appeared to be going through Combs' belongings or moving the sleeping bag to see who was inside before leaving the area. At 5:51 a.m., the man returned, walked by Combs and then away from the area again. Six minutes later, the man returned to Combs yet again. He picked up a heavy rock and threw it at the head area of the sleeping bag while Combs appeared to be sleeping inside, the video showed. The man ran away but returned seconds later, picked up the heavy object and threw it three more times at the head area of the sleeping bag. The man then dragged Combs out of view of the camera before walking away. Police initially linked Samual Tesch-Villa, who was 19 at the time, to the killing. He was arrested the month after the June 7 beating and charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors dropped the murder charge in December of that year after they couldn't locate a key witness, according to a previous Spokesman-Review story. Documents say Tesch-Villa was arrested based on statements from "associates in his life at the time." Tesch-Villa maintained his innocence, and physical evidence did not support him being a suspect, police said in documents. On Jan. 8, 2024, a police officer spotted Tesch-Villa, who had a misdemeanor warrant , documents say. Tesch-Villa told the officer he knew Holder killed Combs because Holder apologized to him for Tesch-Villa's time spent in jail. Police arrested Holder Jan. 10, 2024, for misdemeanor warrants, and he's been incarcerated since then. Holder initially declined to speak to police about the homicide before confessing to the killing, court records say. He admitted to being in front of the Wolfe Apartments, which is across from the Intermodal Center, because his mother would sometimes stay there. During his interview with police, Holder watched the video of the assault and cried, documents say. He told police he did not know Combs and would not or could not explain why he killed him, documents say. Holder asked police what kind of punishment he was facing. The standard sentence range for Holder was about 10 to 18 years in prison, but Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Jonathan Degen said Thursday that Holder, who was 18 at the time of the killing, could have asked for a sentence well below the standard range because of mitigating factors for youth. The defense also explored a "diminished capacity" defense because of Holder's mental health. Degen said Holder was initially found incompetent to stand trial, sent to Eastern State Hospital for competency restoration and then deemed competent. Because of the "risks" that could lead to a lesser sentence, Degen said they settled on the low end of the standard range. Holder has no prior felony convictions, and his attorney, David Lund, said he was homeless at the time of the killing. Holder, who wore yellow Spokane County Jail clothing, declined to give a statement to the court. Combs' father appeared virtually on a screen in court and declined to give a victim impact statement. Van Winkle ordered Holder to serve three years of probation when he's released from prison. Holder will also have to undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations and adhere to any recommended treatment. Van Winkle said the low-end sentence was appropriate, especially given Holder's mental condition and his young age. He said one of the primary goals is rehabilitation and transforming Holder into a productive member of society. "You've got an opportunity here," Van Winkle said. "Don't waste it."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing 34-year-old homeless man in downtown Spokane
May 22—A 22-year-old who beat a sleeping homeless man to death with a large rock nearly four years ago in downtown Spokane was sentenced Thursday to more than 10 years in prison. Aaron R. Holder pleaded guilty as charged Thursday to second-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old Justin Combs before Spokane County Superior Court Judge Andrew Van Winkle handed down the 123-month sentence, recommended by the prosecution and defense. Court documents indicate a woman came across an injured man, identified as Combs, the morning of June 7, 2021, outside the Intermodal Center, 221 W. First Ave. She notified security, who called the police. A police officer found Combs severely injured and bleeding from his head inside a sleeping bag. He assisted with first aid until medics arrived. Combs died at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center 10 days after the assault. A detective noted blood stains on the sidewalk and scuff marks consistent with a rock impacting it, according to documents. A large piece of basalt rock, which had a blood stain and sleeping bag filler stuck to it, also had scratches consistent with hitting the sidewalk. Police believe Holder used the rock, which weighed about 51 pounds, to beat Combs. Surveillance video from a nearby business showed a thin white man, roughly 20 years old, with brown hair, light gray sweatpants, a blue or purple hoodie and a colored blanket approach Combs at 5:43 a.m. while he was sleeping on the sidewalk. The man appeared to be going through Combs' belongings or moving the sleeping bag to see who was inside before leaving the area. At 5:51 a.m., the man returned, walked by Combs and then away from the area again. Six minutes later, the man returned to Combs yet again. He picked up a heavy rock and threw it at the head area of the sleeping bag while Combs appeared to be sleeping inside, the video showed. The man ran away but returned seconds later, picked up the heavy object and threw it three more times at the head area of the sleeping bag. The man then dragged Combs out of view of the camera before walking away. Police initially linked Samual Tesch-Villa, who was 19 at the time, to the killing. He was arrested the month after the June 7 beating and charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors dropped the murder charge in December of that year after they couldn't locate a key witness, according to a previous Spokesman-Review story. Documents say Tesch-Villa was arrested based on statements from "associates in his life at the time." Tesch-Villa maintained his innocence, and physical evidence did not support him being a suspect, police said in documents. On Jan. 8, 2024, a police officer spotted Tesch-Villa, who had a misdemeanor warrant , documents say. Tesch-Villa told the officer he knew Holder killed Combs because Holder apologized to him for Tesch-Villa's time spent in jail. Police arrested Holder Jan. 10, 2024, for misdemeanor warrants, and he's been incarcerated since then. Holder initially declined to speak to police about the homicide before confessing to the killing, court records say. He admitted to being in front of the Wolfe Apartments, which is across from the Intermodal Center, because his mother would sometimes stay there. During his interview with police, Holder watched the video of the assault and cried, documents say. He told police he did not know Combs and would not or could not explain why he killed him, documents say. Holder asked police what kind of punishment he was facing. The standard sentence range for Holder was about 10 to 18 years in prison, but Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Jonathan Degen said Thursday that Holder, who was 18 at the time of the killing, could have asked for a sentence well below the standard range because of mitigating factors for youth. The defense also explored a "diminished capacity" defense because of Holder's mental health. Degen said Holder was initially found incompetent to stand trial, sent to Eastern State Hospital for competency restoration and then deemed competent. Because of the "risks" that could lead to a lesser sentence, Degen said they settled on the low end of the standard range. Holder has no prior felony convictions, and his attorney, David Lund, said he was homeless at the time of the killing. Holder, who wore yellow Spokane County Jail clothing, declined to give a statement to the court. Combs' father appeared virtually on a screen in court and declined to give a victim impact statement. Van Winkle ordered Holder to serve three years of probation when he's released from prison. Holder will also have to undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations and adhere to any recommended treatment. Van Winkle said the low-end sentence was appropriate, especially given Holder's mental condition and his young age. He said one of the primary goals is rehabilitation and transforming Holder into a productive member of society. "You've got an opportunity here," Van Winkle said. "Don't waste it."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman accused of lighting north Spokane neighborhood on fire says it was accident
May 9—A 34-year-old woman accused of starting a fire Wednesday that spread to several properties in a north Spokane neighborhood told police the fire was accidental. Jessie R. Green, 34, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of first-degree arson and made her first appearance Friday in Spokane County Superior Court, where her bond was set at $5,000. The fire started in an alley next to a fence on East North Avenue near North Standard Street and spread to a tall pine tree and bushes, sending embers that sparked spot fires and burnt a home and several outbuildings, according to the Spokane Fire Department. No injuries were reported and no residents were displaced, according to the fire department. Green told police she drove into an alley to go to the bathroom and used a torch to try to burn off string at the bottom of her pant leg, according to court documents. She said she accidentally burned a plastic label and threw it out of her vehicle before driving away, not knowing she started a fire. Security camera footage from a home in the neighborhood caught an Audi A4 stopping next to the pine tree and Green opening the car door and leaning out, according to court documents. She closed the door, drove away and a fire could be seen moments later. Police received an automatic license plate reader notification of a vehicle that matched the description of Green's vehicle. The Washington license plate number connected to Green's Spokane home address, where officers found the car parked Thursday, court records show. Police made a traffic stop on the vehicle at East Fifth Avenue and South Cook Street, where they arrested Green.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Spokane County judges reaffirm their Constitutional oath, condemn politicization and bending of rule of law
May 1—William Shakespeare wasn't all that far off when he wrote the infamous "Let's kill all the lawyers" line from "Henry VI, Part II," said Spokane County Superior Court Judge Breean Beggs on the courthouse steps Thursday. "The quote comes from a man named Dick the Butcher, who's engaged in a rebellion and wants to create chaos and tyranny ... He says the first thing we have to do is silence the lawyers because they are in the way of freedom and a well-ordered government," Beggs told the crowd. "... In this courthouse, we've got judges who are standing ready to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, regardless of how popular or unpopular it is on any one day. And we have lawyers who are willing to represent people to the best of their ability." Beggs and a group of other Spokane County Judges stood outside the courthouse to again take their Constitutional oath for National Law Day. Below the steps stood 9-year-old Ayva Griffith, who was there to recite the oath along with them. "They support us. They take care of people," said Ayva, whose family is filled with lawyers. "It makes me feel happy." Beggs spoke to more than 50 people on the courthouse lawn, including lawyers, county employees and citizens, urging them not to forgo the meaning of the Constitution out of fear or pressure, and to remind them that those in the Spokane judiciary took an oath to protect the rule of law without favorability. Although the event was not created in response to any "recent events" or actions taken against judges and lawyers from President Donald Trump and his administration, Beggs reminded the crowd, the timing is ripe. Washington State Bar Association President Sunitha Anjilvel acknowledged in a press release that "we are feeling very divided as a country." Trump's executive orders in the last three months of his presidency have thrown legal professionals into a tailspin — as Trump promises to retaliate against law firms that don't bow to his administration's requests and call for the impeachment of judges who rule against his executive orders for being unconstitutional, some law firms are caving to the demands, while judges are standing firm. When Trump called for the impeachment of James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement pushing back on the sentiment, saying, "impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision." Federal officials this month also accused a Wisconsin judge of helping an immigrant evade arrest in her courtroom. She was arrested on charges of obstructing an agency and concealing someone to prevent an arrest, according to NPR, when she allegedly escorted the defendant through a jury door out into the hallway after learning ICE officials only had an administrative warrant and not one signed by a judge. Trump's actions have prompted prominent scholars to refer to the recent executive actions as a Constitutional crisis, the New York Times reported, citing the efforts to revoke birthright citizenship, bypassing congressional powers and threatening to deport people with different political beliefs. While Beggs declined to speak about ongoing legal controversies related to the Trump Administration, he said in general terms, there have always been people throughout history who believe one person should have full power to govern rather than the Constitution and laws of the country. And he consistently reminded those attending Law Day that "the rule of law is not political." "The power of our country is our rule of law, and the lawyers and the judges that make it so," he said in an interview. "There's ups and downs, but this country is fabulous, and it's the rule of law that makes it fabulous." Luvera Law Firm attorney Mark Kamitomo, who has practiced since 1989, warned the rule of law will not exist if the Constitution becomes meaningless. His family immigrated from Japan to Canada in a time where Japanese people had no due process in Canada or the U.S. Looking back, it's hard to believe that decades earlier, "my father and his family were living in animal stalls," Kamitomo said. "Under our Constitution, which is the cornerstone of America's democracy, the same laws apply to all — that no one is above the law and we all have the same unalienable liberties and rights that no one, including the government, can infringe upon," he said. "... It's become apparent that a movement to preserve the rule of law, government objectivity and fairness for all, must come from the ground up." Kamitomo said it's always concerning seeing people who are part of the judicial system "bend the rules." It appears that nowadays, he said, the Constitution is meaningless when the end goal is to gain more power. "To me, that's a slippery slope," Kamitomo said in an interview. As Beggs faced the sun in his black robe, he held up his right hand to lead the Constitutional oath to pledge honesty, truth and respect to the justice system. The crowd followed. At the end, a woman in the crowd quietly commented on her admiration for Beggs' previous comments: "All of us are created equal," he had said earlier. "In Spokane, we all belong."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Newport man gets 9 years in prison for apparent road rage that left 33-year-old woman dead
Mar. 12—Newport, Washington, resident who killed a 33-year-old Reardan woman in an apparent road rage crash in 2023 was sentenced to nine years in prison. Paul G. Ainsworth, 44, faced second-degree murder and vehicular homicide charges in the death of Rebecca Powelson, but he pleaded guilty March 5 to first-degree manslaughter as part of a plea agreement, according to court documents. Ainsworth intentionally struck the back of the pickup Powelson was driving the morning of Aug. 2, 2023, near Chattaroy, causing it to roll several times and killing Powelson, court records show. The drivers, Ainsworth in a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan and Powelson in a 1990 Ford Ranger, were headed south on U.S. Highway 2 north of Riverside High School. The Washington State Patrol determined Powelson's Ford "rotated violently counterclockwise" and rolled, according to documents. The Ford rolled through a drainage ditch off the northbound shoulder until it collided with a large boulder, coming to rest on its side in a driveway, law enforcement said in court records. Powelson died at the scene. One witness compared Ainsworth's driving to a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver used by law enforcement, telling authorities Ainsworth suddenly drove hard to the right, hitting the rear side of the truck on the left side. Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michelle Szambelan imposed an "exceptional sentence" above the 6 1/2 -to-8 1/2 -year standard range. Ainsworth will serve three years of probation when he's released from prison.
