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By Bill Stevenson
Whitman County Gazette 

Albion man pleads guilty

Rape charge dropped with plea deal

 


COLFAX — James S. Olson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and is no longer facing the felony charge of rape.

Olson, 30, of Albion, pleaded guilty in Whitman County District Court assault in the fourth degree – domestic violence on July 9. He was initially charged with rape in the second degree – domestic violence in Whitman County Superior Court.

The rape charge was declined by the prosecutor due to the victim’s wishes and because it couldn’t be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. A plea agreement was made to obtain a conviction on the misdemeanor charge.

The former Pullman resident was sentenced to 31 days in jail with credit for time served, according to district court records. His fine of $1,000 was completely suspended. Olson is to serve 24 months under supervised probation and pay $895 in restitution.

He was accused of raping his girlfriend, slapping her twice, and fighting with her neighbor until he was hit with bear spray at her apartment on Feb. 27.

After the attack, the victim left her apartment and sought help from her neighbors. A 44-year-old man went to the victim’s apartment and allegedly confronted Olson, telling him to leave. Olson reportedly fought with the man until another neighbor used bear spray on them, according to police records.

Olson was bleeding from a small laceration to his forehead from the fight. He was taken to Pullman Regional Hospital for treatment before being booked into the Whitman County Jail.

Author Bio

Bill Stevenson, Former Managing Editor

Author photo

Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.

 

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