Briefs: Mar. 1, 2018

VICTIM SAID HYPNOTIZED

The Pullman Police investigation report on the arrest of Dr. Dean Funabiki, who was found dead in his Whitman County jail cell Feb. 17, said the alleged victim in the case which led to his arrest was in a hypnotized state at the time she was raped. The hypnotized state was induced as part of the treatment for the victim, the report said.

Filing of the lengthy arrest report was delayed after the court ordered the original draft held until the identity of the victim had been redacted.

Dr. Funabiki, 68, a longtime Pullman psychologist, was arrested Feb. 16 in Pullman on a probable charge of second-degree rape.

The report noted the police department was contacted in early January by Pullman Memorial Hospital at the outset of the case and the victim was reluctant at first to give an account, but was later interviewed.

Court records show Dr. Funabiki was initially ordered held on $100,000 surety bond after his arrest. He was accompanied by an attorney when he turned himself over to Pullman Police and was later booked at the Whitman County jail.

The arrest report noted he was arrested after a state crime lab report identified his DNA on swab samples taken from the victim.

The arrest report also notes that during the investigation Pullman officers became aware of another patient of Dr. Funabiki who also believed she was assaulted in the same manner approximately 25 years ago. When interviewed, she said she had also been under the same type of treatment and believed she had been in a hypnotized state when the doctor assaulted her.

JUDGE ORDERS BAIL FOR SUSPECTS

Superior Court Judge Gary Libey Friday ordered a $10,000 bail set for the first of four Seattle area suspects who showed up in court for a first appearance the morning after being charged with thefts involving several retail outlets in Pullman last December.

Othniel Fleurine, 20, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of organized retail theft in the second degree for allegedly taking clothing items from the WSU Bookie last Dec. 12.

Fleurine and other suspects in the case were summoned to appear in court Monday for arraignment.

In addition to bail, the judge ordered one of the conditions for pre-trial release will be no contact among the four suspects who were all charged Feb. 7 and ordered to appear in court.

The judge noted if the suspects traveled over here in the same vehicle, they will have to find separate transportation to get back in the event they posted bail.

The other three suspects summoned to appear were Amed Herishi, Mansheer Singh and Zacharic Diriye.

DAYTON RESIDENTS INJURED

Joni D. Vance and Sue L. Putman, both of Dayton, were injured in a three-car accident Feb. 17 morning 10 miles north of Colfax on Highway 195. They were passengers in a 2001 Buick Century which was driven by Anthony Vance of Dayton.

According to the Washington State Patrol report, Vance was driving northbound in a snowstorm at 10:30 a.m. and lost control the the car in snow and slush on the roadway. It spun into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Alysa Petyy, Jerome, Idaho, and a 2015 Ford Focus being driven by Tyronne Unger of Colfax. They were not injured.

Endicott SCHOOL THREAT

Whitman County deputies Feb. 20 responded to a report of a threat made against the Endicott school. A 12-year-old boy was arrested by Deputy Michael Melcher at the school at about 3 p.m. Feb. 20 and transported to Martin Hall.

Sheriff Brett Myers said deputies responded after school officials learned other students at the school heard the boy making threats.

He has now been released to the custody of his parents.

School officials advised parents by email and voice mail Feb. 21 of the incident.

MORE PAY FOR TOP CITY JOB?

Mayor Todd Vanek told city council members Feb. 20 he plans to present a report on pay levels for city administrators before starting the hiring process for a new city administrator. The city administrator's seat has been vacant since the start of the month with the departure of Dodd Snodgrass.

Vanek said he believes the pay level the city offers for the administrator position is too low to attract qualified candidates for the job. He said he intends to compile a report which will show salaries paid to administrators in the area.

Vanek plans to submit the report at the March 19 meeting.

He decided to make the report after a city council member inquired about what steps were in the works for hiring a new administrator.

JOB SHIFT FOR GREGORY

Val Gregory has been hired as executive director of the Whitman County Historical Society. The society's board at its Feb. 14 meeting approved creating the paid position and offered the job to Gregory.

Greg Partch of Garfield, society president, said they decided to make the move to better keep up with meetings, reports and grant applications required by the society.

Gregory said she will also continue to work as director of the Colfax Downtown Association.

She will also continue to oversee the Colfax Chamber of Commerce, but a program coordinator will be hired to oversee the day-to-day work of the chamber.

The new alignment is expected to begin at the start of next month, Partch said.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO BUY TRAIN DEPOT

Whitman County Historical Society board voted Feb. 14 to proceed with the purchase of the former Pullman Northern Pacific train station from Megan Antoni, daughter of the late Dan Antoni. The station for several years has served as a location for the state auto licensing agency and other businesses. It has been known as the Pufferbelly Depot.

Society President Greg Partch of Garfield said the purchase included the railroad passenger cars and a locomotive which were purchased by Antoni and displayed at the station. Some of the area's railroad memorabilia has been stored in one of the railroad cars.

The acquisition was made possible when an anonymous local backer stepped forward and negotiated with Megan Antoni and secured the property for the Historical Society.

A transfer tax affidavit filed in the county treasurer's office listed the sale price for the depot at $300,000.

Partch said the society will form a steering committee to raise funds to repay the loan and finance future development.

Kathy Meyer and Linda Hackbarth of Pullman are co-chairs of the steering committee and can provide more information to residents interested in serving on the committee. Meyer can be contacted at 509-334-9089 and Hackbarth at 208-627-3460. Partch can be contacted at 635-1556.

JAIL INMATE DAMAGES CELL

Charges of harassment with a threat to kill and malicious mischief were filed Feb. 20 in superior court against Jason Tipler-Barragan, 27, a jail inmate who was arrested in his cell in the early morning hours.

According to the report by Deputy Chris Olin, Tipler-Barragan removed a heavy metal cover off a fluorescent light in the cell and used it to batter a slot window in the cell.

Olin responded to a report of a possible escape attempt in cell 148 and found the inmate seated on a top bunk and holding a segment of a broken fluorescent light tube. He initially refused to put down the tube, but then threw down the tube and climbed off the bunk after Olin started to enter the cell with a less-than-lethal shotgun.

Tipler-Barragan was initially bought to the jail by Pullman Police on a probable charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

Palouse SEEKS TO FILL EMPTY SEAT

The City of Palouse has a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment. Applicants for the unpaid position must live within the Palouse city limits. The board hears and decides applications for conditional use permits and zoning code matters.

Those interested are asked to send an e-mail to Ann Thompson, deputy city clerk. For more information, call city hall. ([email protected]).