On Tuesday April 10, Collette M Pierce, 25, pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder. She was involved in the July 17, 2011 killing of Colville resident Gordon Feist. She is the last of three people to enter guilty pleas in the murder. Previously, Eric Booth, 26, pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder and received a sentence of 330 months and Jesse Fellman-Shimmins, 27, pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and was sentenced to 300 months.

At the sentencing hearing, Ms. Pierce stated that she was sorry she did not do what was right and not go with Booth and Felman-Shimmins when they went to burglarize the home of Mr. Feist. She stated she never intended or thought that anyone would get hurt. After listening to the statement I gave the court and the victim’s family and the defendant, Judge Nielson sentenced Ms. Pierce to a prison term of 180 months or 15 years.

There was a high school current affairs class that was attending court that day and heard the sentencing of Ms Pierce. Just prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Nielson talked about the importance of choosing the right friends, and the fact that if two or more persons engage in a felony, they all can be held accountable for the act of any one of them regardless of their personal actions or intentions. They all bear responsibility for what any one of them does. This is called the felony murder rule. Ms. Pierce’s responsibility for the killing of Mr. Feist is an example of the operation of this rule. She did not kill Mr. Feist, but she was there by choice participating in the felony burglary attempt.

Someone asked me if I was happy or satisfied with the sentence. There is no happiness in any of this. The punishment does not make it right. A good man was killed for nothing. The loss to his to his family is a wound from which they will never recover. Three young people will be in prison for many years. Their lives are ruined. Their families will always suffer for what they did. There is only tragedy for everyone; all because some young people set out one night to steal guns to get some money. What a tragic waste. The only possible satisfaction is the holding of people accountable and that satisfaction pales in comparison to grief and suffering this crime caused.