On May 22, 2013 Samuel L. Rickard appeared before Judge Patrick Monasmith for sentencing after entering a plea of guilty to Rape in the Second Degree. The charge arose out of an incident that occurred in the evening of September 20, 2012. On that date, Mr. Rickard was intoxicated and sexually assaulted his handicapped adult […]

Recently a reader asked why sentences vary from one person to another. I agreed that different sentences are sometimes given for the same criminal conduct. Sentencing can be complex, but here are some of the factors involved. There is a sentencing schedule or guideline, which governs felony cases. The SRA Sentencing Reform Act imposes a […]

On 1-21-13 an accident occurred at the intersection of Spotted road and Garden Spot road. A vehicle ignored the stop sign and took the corner at a high rate of speed. The vehicle left the roadway, went through a fence and hit a tree. Two people came by and saw the wrecked car tried to […]

Last week the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife put in place an emergency rule that allows livestock and animal owners in eastern Washington to kill a wolf that is attacking their animals. Without the emergency rule, animal owners had to obtain a “caught in the act” permit from the WDFW before lethally removing (killing) […]