Bulletin: Mar. 1, 2018

These reports are from the previous four issues of the Daily Bulletin in Colfax. They are reprinted here for the benefit of Gazette readers who reside outside of Colfax. Some accounts have been updated.

COLTON SUSPECT CHARGED

A Colton resident who was the object of a multi-agency response when he allegedly kicked out a window and damaged the inside of a police car was charged Monday in superior court with malicious mischief in the second degree and disorderly conduct.

Arrested and charged was Daniel R. Harrell, 57, Colton.

The arrest report by Colton Officer Brian Keller said the incident started when he responded to a report at 7 p.m. Friday from a neighbor who said Harrell had been pounding on his door and yelling. The neighbor told Keller he believed Harrell wanted him to come out of his house and fight.

Keller and Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Chapman went to the suspect's house on Steptoe Street. The report said they found Harrell in an intoxicated state. He denied going to the neighbor's house. During the interview, the report alleged Harrell yelled obscenities at Chapman.

Right after the two officers cautioned Harrell and left the scene they received another report from the neighbor that Harrell had resumed making threats as soon as they departed. Harrell was arrested, handcuffed and placed in the back of Keller's squad car for transport to the jail.

During the trip on Highway 195, Harrell allegedly began to kick the security partition in the back of the police car and then kicked out a window.

Keller issued a call for an assist and a WSU officer, two state troopers and another deputy responded.

Harrell was treated for cuts he sustained on his feet when he was booked into the jail. His bond for pre-trial release was set at $25,000.

Colfax MAN CHARGED

A charge of malicious mischief in the second degree was filed Friday in Whitman County Superior Court against Kyle B. Nance, 21, Colfax. He has been summoned to appear in court March 16.

Filed by Senior Deputy Prosecutor Merritt Decker, the charge alleges Nance last Nov. 4 damaged siding, a rose bush and a tree at the Siesta Motel at the corner of S. Main and Thorn streets in Colfax.

The Colfax police report on the case said surveillance camera recordings show Nance in the vicinity of the motel prior to when the damage was discovered. The recording allegedly showed the suspect carrying what appeared to be pruning shears, which are believed to have been used to damage the rose bush.

FAIR INSURANCE DILEMMA

The Palouse Empire Fair has encountered an insurance snag in its booking of fair facilities for meetings, weddings and other events. Fair manager Janel Goebel told fair board members Monday night the fair will now have to require special events insurance coverage before booking the facilities.

The fair previously has allowed customers to use homeowners' insurance for coverage when booking facilities, but the fair has learned that homeowners’ insurance will only cover liability, not property damage.

A minimum special events policy is expected to cost in the range of $150, and that would put the cost out of range for many of the people who book fair facilities. The insurance cost can be expected to increase with larger events and those that include alcoholic beverages.

County commissioner Mike Largent said he anticipates the county could allow some reasonable leeway for small groups that want to book fair facilities such as the Jones School building.

LYLE TAKES GRANGE FAIR SEAT

Jim Lyle, master of Pomona Grange, attended Monday night's Palouse Empire Fair board meeting as a representative of Whitman County Granges. Lyle said he planned to be the Grange representative on the fair board.

The Grange for several years was represented on the board by the late Stanley Buckley of Ewartsville.

Lyle noted there are still 11 active Granges in the county, and they want to remain part of the Palouse Empire Fair organization. He asked what the Fair's theme will be for this year so Granges can plan for entries in the coming months before they get busy with spring and summer work.

Janel Goebel, fair manager, announced later in the board meeting that the theme will be "Let's Get Growing."

She noted she has checked to make sure other fairs in the area are not using the same theme this year.

ROLLOVER ON HIGHWAY 272

Manalo R. Mane, Sedro Woolley, was unhurt Friday when she lost control of a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe on Highway 272 four miles east of Colfax. According to the Washington State Patrol report, she was driving eastbound at 10:32 p.m. in snow and ice and the car slid across the centerline and into the ditch on the westbound side of the highway. The Hyundai rolled onto its roof.

AGREEMENT ENDS LAZCANO APPEAL

Frank Lazcano, Rosalia resident who was convicted of first degree murder here in 2013, agreed to give up the appeal of his conviction in exchange for a 60-month reduction of his sentence Monday morning in Whitman County Superior Court.

Prosecutor Denis Tracy presented the agreement under which the state dropped a firearms enhancement factor from the conviction. That removed 60 months from the sentence and leaves Lazcano facing a total of 240 months in prison.

Tracy told the court his intent was to bring finality to the case.

Lazcano had been scheduled for a reference hearing for a determination on a pending ruling in his appeal. He had appealed his conviction on the grounds of double jeopardy and unlawful imprisonment.

The conviction stems from the fatal shooting of Marcus Schur Dec. 27, 2011, in an alley in Malden. Schur, then 23, was shot with an AK-47 rifle by Daniel Lazcano, Frank's younger brother.

Daniel Lazcano was in the alley behind the residence and saw Schur come out the back of the residence after Frank Lazcano forced his way into the front of the residence.

Part of Frank Lazcano's appeal related to a first conviction for forcing his way into the Malden residence the night of the shooting. He had been attempting to locate Schur. The conviction for entering the residence was concluded before Schur's body was found the following spring in Bonnie Lake, and the state filed murder charges.

Both Lazcanos were subsequently convicted for felony first-degree murder.

In a 30-page mandate filed here the appeals court denied Lazcano's motion on the double jeopardy argument but brought up the possibility of unlawful detainer and ordered the reference hearing to determine if investigators exercised due diligence.

Prosecutor Tracy Monday noted jury members after the trial commented they did not feel Frank Lazcano intended for his brother to shoot Schur that night behind the Malden residence. He also pointed out the state did not charge Lazcano with pre-meditated murder and sought a sentence at the low end of the state's range for felony murder.

Lazcano was represented in court by Jeff Ellis of Portland. He said Lazcano opted to take the 60-month reduction in his sentence instead of pursuing his appeal which would have led to an an all-or-nothing outcome, pending the eventual ruling.

Lazcano has served more than 71 months of his sentence. A warrant of commitment filed here June 10, 2013, when Lazcano was sent to the state's Department of Corrections, credited him with 436 days he had been in jail here l.

The credit amounts to approximately 14.5 months, and he has been in state custody for close to 57 months since that June date.

Lazcano, who marked his 30th birthday Friday, was allowed time after Monday's hearing to greet family members and friends who attended the short session.

He was brought here for Monday's hearing from the Airway Height Correction Center located west pf Spokane.

The reference hearing ordered by the appeals court had been expected to extend for up to three days in court.

TWO HURT IN HIGHWAY 26 ACCIDENTS

Arriana A. Hilton, Tacoma, was injured Sunday in a one-car accident on Highway 26 at 10:45 p.m. She was a passenger in a car driven by Raegan L. Sanders, Federal Way.

According to the report by Trooper Bruce Blood, Sanders was driving a 2005 Toyota Camry eastbound and lost control of the car on the slush-covered highway. The Camry slid sideways into the eastbound ditch and rolled onto its top.

Hilton was transported to the hospital by a Colfax ambulance crew.

Saturday, Alexis Brock-Sturtevant, Yakima, was injured when she lost control of a 2006 Saturn 11.3 miles west of Colfax at 9:30 p.m. on Highway 26. The eastbound car went onto the shoulder of the highway, slid across the centerline into the westbound ditch and rolled onto its top. Road conditions were bare and dry.

A Colfax ambulance crew responded to the scene but did not transport the driver.

MACKLEIT TAKES CITY SEAT

Mark Mackleit was appointed Feb. 20 to fill the city council seat which was vacated by the resignation of Sarah McKnight. Mackleit was named after five council members present at Monday's meeting cast written ballots after a brief executive session.

Mackleit, who has been attending council sessions, has worked this year on the school facilities committee which prepared the $18.9 bond levy proposal which was approved by voters. He was also a member of the C-town committee which raised private donations as part of the funding for the Schmuck Park track and field project.

He and Jim Retzer, who also applied for the appointment, gave brief talks on why they sought to serve on the council.

Mackleit works for Nolan Heating & Air, and Retzer is a Washington State Patrol trooper.