Inmate opts for jail

Randi M. Keene, 35, Garfield, was ordered to serve a year in jail Friday in Whitman County Superior Court after she told the court she opted to serve the jail sentence instead of undergoing an evaluation and treatment for drug use.

Keene had been ordered to appear in court Friday to show she had complied with a court order to undergo the evaluation and begin treatment.

She was sentenced to 364 days in jail Aug. 3 with all but 30 days suspended on condition she get evaluated and follow any treatment recommendations. Friday's court appearance was scheduled to check that she had done so.

She told the court she did not obtain the evaluation because she has been in jail.

Defense Attorney Steve Martonick said Keene opted to serve a year-long sentence in justice court, and Judge Douglas Robinson obliged by sentencing her to a year on a malicious mischief conviction.

John Hart, who was presiding as judge pro tem in superior court Friday, followed her request by finding she had not followed up on the evaluation. He restored the 334 days of the jail sentence which had been suspended after the Aug. 3 conviction.

The conviction for harassment and assault on an officer are from July 16, when Palouse Chief Jerry Neumann and Officer Joe Handley arrested Keene at a residence in Garfield.

With credit for good time, Keene's release date from jail will be April 17.