Bulletin column

These reports are from the previous three 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.

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JUDGE STEPS ASIDE IN

LAZCANO TRIAL

Judge David Frazier has recused himself for presiding at the third murder trial of Daniel Lazcano. The judge stepped aside after a defense motion asking for a change was filed by the defense last Thursday.

The motion cited statements made by Judge Frazier July 19 when he rejected a plea bargain agreement which was presented to the court by both sides in the case. The plea bargain called for Daniel Lazcano to plead guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter and be sentenced to 30 months in jail.

In moving to recuse himself, Judge Frazier noted his statements at the July 19 hearing were based on information from the two trials of Daniel Lazcano and the trial of his brother Frank Lazcano. It was also based on hearings for family members who have been involved in the case which involves the fatal shooting of Marcus Schur at Malden in December of 2011.

Judge Frazier said he made his July 19 ruling in a “thorough and candid fashion.” He added his comments could lead to appearance of fairness issues and a reasonable question of his ability to conduct further proceedings impartially.

Judge Frazier’s decision to recuse removed the need for a hearing which had been sought in the Oct. 10 motion from the defense. The judge said he will send a copy of his ruling to the Spokane County Court administrator for appointment of a new judge to preside at the trial.

Daniel Lazcano is now scheduled for a Dec. 2 trial in Spokane County. The first two trials on the charges here ended with the juries in each trial unable to reach a verdict.

LEAN-TO FIRE HALTED

Steptoe and Colfax fire crews responded to a report of a structure fire at the Stacey Walker ranch on James Road east of Colfax Sunday. A fire had started in the rafters of a lean-to next to the machine building at the ranch. The fire was spotted by Glenn Sampson of Colfax who was hunting in the area.

MC RIDER HURT IN DEER CRASH

Jerry R. Meadows, Lewiston, sustained possible shoulder injuries Saturday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding struck a downed deer on Highway 194 south of Colfax. According to the Washington State Patrol report, Meadows was riding eastbound at 3:18 p.m. and was unable to avoid the deer which was in the roadway. He flew over the handlebars of the 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle and landed in the eastbound lane.

Robert E. Gay, Colfax, was unhurt when the 2012 Ford Fusion he was driving collided with a deer on the Buck Canyon grade near the Colfax city limits. According to the WSP report, Gay was driving northbound when the deer ran across the highway into the path of the Ford at 12:54 p.m.

ST. IGNATIUS SAID

HAZARDOUS

A review of the status of the former St. Ignatius Hospital building on the south hill was requested at Oct. 7 city council meeting. City staff members were asked to review possible condemnation procedures after a letter from a neighborhood resident was discussed.

Vern Thompson in his Oct. 4 letter said he believes the building has become a hazard. Thompson reported he has often seen young people go into the building to investigate. The letter also noted trash at times has been left in the alleyway which loops behind the building.

“Something needs to be done now to prevent more severe consequences in the future,” Thompson stated in his letter.

City Administrator Carl Thompson noted past incidents in the large vacant building led to a city request that it be boarded up and sealed. The owner responded to the request, but intruders in subsequent years have found ways to get into the building.

Safety concerns at St. Ignatius came up in 2007 when a boy fell into an abandoned well which is located behind the building. Fire volunteers were called to rescue the youngster.

At that time the city notified the owner, Sammy Girges of Bellflower, Calif., of the hazardous conditions.

Thompson told the council Monday it was his understanding that the building had been purchased for the eventual development of condominium units, but the crash of the real estate market put the project on hold.

Another concern has been bricks falling off the top of the building, and a few years ago a chimney toppled.

The building’s use as a hospital ended with the construction of Whitman Hospital in 1968. It was occupied as St. Ignatius Manor to house developmentally disabled adults for several years but later closed down.

City condemnation would involve a lengthy notice procedure and can evolve into the city taking over ownership of the building which would entail a huge expense for demolition of the four-story brick structure which covers the block between Mill and East streets.

CETC POSTED FOR AUCTION

The CETC building in Colfax has now been posted for a Nov. 13 auction date by Kincaid Real Estate. The county has hired Kincaid and Booker Auction to sell off the building, the former Elks Club, to the highest bidder.

A property information session has been scheduled at the building for Nov. 5 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. for interested buyers to tour the structure.

The actual auction will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 with bidder registration to begin at 1 p.m. A $2,500 bid deposit will be required. The deposit will be returned to unsuccessful bidders.

The county commissioners last year failed to get a response when they called for sealed bids on the structure with a minimum of $60,000. The commissioners in August opted to put the building up for auction sale after allowing Colfax city officials two weeks to decide if the city wanted to acquire the building which at one time had been considered a community center site.

Sale details can be found at Kincaidrealestate.com under the current auctions listing.

CYBERSTALKING SENTENCE

Christian R. Escalante, 19, Dos Palos, Calif., was sentenced to 37 days in jail Oct. 4 after pleading guilty to a charge of cyberstalking. Escalante was arrested outside of Pullman Aug. 24 after he had driven from California to confront an ex-girlfriend at Washington State University.

The WSU Police arrest report said he had made numerous calls to the victim and advised her of his travel progress from California.

Escalante was allowed credit for seven days spent in jail after his arrest and will be allowed to work off the remaining 30 days of the sentence with 240 hours of public service. He was ordered to pay $1,450 in fines and fees.

He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim and was placed on 24 months of probation.

ADAMS COUNTY JUDGE DIES

Last Thursday’s edition of the Ritzville Journal includes a report of the death of Adams County Judge Brian Miller, 65, Saturday, Sept. 28, after a long battle with cancer. Judge Miller, who practiced law in Othello for 37 years, was elected in last year’s primary.

He succeeded his brother, Judge Richard Miller, on the Adams County bench at the start of this year. Judge Richard Miller has presided at several Whitman County trials over the years.

Brian Miller was a 1966 graduate of Ritzville High School and a 1973 graduate of the Gonzaga School of Law.

LACROSSE TRIO HURT

Three LaCrosse residents were hurt last Oct. 9 in a car-truck collision on Highway 26 at the Walla Walla Highway intersection at Dusty. They were in a 2000 Buick LeSabre which was driven by Linda Henson.

According to the Washington State Patrol report, Henson was driving eastbound on Highway 26 at 10:35 a.m. when a pickup truck pulled out from the stop sign at the Walla Walla Highway. The driver of the truck, Larry T. Moore, Deer Park, had stopped at the sign, but then pulled into the intersection.

Henson sustained a shoulder injury. Passengers listed were Shirley Beebe, who sustained chest and shoulder injuries and Dolores Sullivan who sustained a chest injury.