Goldendale soldier killed in training
Christopher Mutton, son of Micheal and Debbie Mutton of Goldendale, died June 23 from injuries sustained in a training accident at Fort Riley, Kan. Reports are that Mutton was fatally injured in a Humvee rollover accident.
The 20-year-old held the rank of Specialist and entered the Army in January 2008. He arrived at Fort Riley in September 2008. He was an Abrams tank maintenance specialist assigned to the 299th Brigade Support Battalion, Second Heavy Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division. He also served as a Vehicle Recovery operator.
Reports as of press time were incomplete and still coming in. An investigation into the accident remains in progress.
On Mutton’s Facebook site Tuesday, friends were posting messages of fond remembrance. “We will miss you very much,” one said. “You were always a great friend.”
“It’s hard to believe you are gone,” another wrote. “Thank you for serving our country. I will never forget you. You will be missed dearly by so many.”
See the complete obituary elsewhere on this site.
Wolf murder trial ends in guilty verdict
Rebecca Gourley
Reporter
Late Monday afternoon, the all-women jury in the Anita Wolf murder case in Goldendale came back with its verdict: guilty on one count of murder in the second degree.
Wolf was arrested for second degree murder on June 25, 2009. Her trial was held over the past week (June 21 through June 28). At about 4:30 in the afternoon on Monday, after only a few hours of deliberation, the verdict was brought in and each juror individually polled to confirm each individual verdict, in addition to announcing the jury’s collective verdict. Judge E. Thompson Reynolds was presiding.
The prosecution made its case that Wolf shot and killed Michael White on or about June 22, 2009, in the Timber Valley area in Appleton and then left him in his home for several days. Neighbors, family members and friends testified that they asked Wolf if she had shot Michael, and she replied, “Yes.”
The prosecuting attorney on the case, Craig Juris, called just under two dozen witnesses during the trial, including a few experts in DNA analysis and firearms.
Defense attorneys Rick Hansen and David Quesnel depicted the incident as a “tragic accident” and told jurors “there is no direct evidence to prove Ms. Wolf intended to take Mr. White's life.”
The prosecutor offered substantial evidence against the defendant. There was only one DNA profile on the murder weapon, Wolf's, and there was also only one DNA profile on the bullet, White's. The prosecution claimed that the defense's assertion that it was an accident didn’t hold up due to the fact that there is no possible way for the gun that was used to accidentally fire. It required almost 11 pounds of force to pull the trigger back. The gun in question was a .357 magnum.
Rebecca Lawrence, Wolf's sister, testified for the prosecution, stating that Michael White had never hurt Wolf.
In order for the jury to find the defendant guilty of murder in the second degree, there were three criteria that need to be established. Number one was that on or about June 22-25, 2009, Wolf intentionally caused the death of Michael White. Number two was that White died as a result of the defendant's actions. Number three was that it occurred in the state of Washington.
The unusual circumstances of this case hit hard for everyone involved, with many moments of strong emotion evident in the courtroom. Family members from both sides (Wolf's and White's) came to support their loved ones.
Two vehicles stolen in town over weekend
Two vehicles were stolen from Goldendale over the weekend, according to Goldendale Police.
The first report came around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night. A red Toyota pickup was reported stolen from the 300 block of West Allyn. The following day the owner learned that the truck was located along Highway 97, north of Satus Pass. The owner attempted to retrieve the vehicle before notifying the police, who were then unable to check the vehicle for forensic evidence.
The second vehicle disappeared from the parking lot at the American Legion after being left there with keys inside. The owner told police that she left her 1992 Toyota Paseo outside the Legion as she intended a brief visit. Forgetting the vehicle was left outside with the keys in it, the owner left the Legion around 10 p.m. to visit a friend. Officers patrolling the area did not see the car in the lot at 3 a.m., and the vehicle is still missing.
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