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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
June 14, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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June 14, 2012
 
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By KEVIN SPRADLIN Over the objections of Mason County Prosecutor Michael Dorcy, Superior Court Judge Amber Finlay reduced Kristina Selwyn's bail to $250,000 from $500,000. Selwyn, 24, of Shelton, has been charged with rendering criminal as- sistance connected to a double ho- micide on Memorial Day in Shelton. Authorities allege that, during ques- tioning, Selwyn's answers allowed shooting suspect Charles S. Long- shore to evade capture. Defense attorney James Morrison said' Monday during arraignment that the original bond, set by Judge. Toni A. Sheldon, seemed "excessive." The temporary punishment also didn't fit the charge of rendering criminal assistance -- a charge that had no violence attached to it, Mar- rison said. In addition, Morrison argued, Sel- wyn had a dated criminal history -- a residential burglary from five years ago -- and had never failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing. Morrison said Selwyn was willing to wear an electronic monitor and that her parents, who attended Monday's proceeding, were willing to guarantee their daughter's appearance. Morrison said the court had only three things to consider regarding a potential reduction in bond: Com- munity safety, an assurance of the defendant's appearance in court and that she had no prior "failure to ap- pear" incidents. "There are those who might think $500,000 is not excessive.== "I ask the court to lower the bail to about $10,000," Morrison said. Prosecuting Attorney Michael Dorcy countered that the defense raised "no.thing new" during arraign- ment that was not presented during the intitial bond hearing. "There are those who might think $500,000 is not excessive," Dorcy said. Dorcy acknowledged that Selwyn's alleged crime was not violent in and of itself -- but was specifically at- tached to two victims who were mur- dered in the kitchen of their Harvard Avenue home in what police describe as a "drug debt" collection gone wrong~ Finlay told Morrison that the court does not look at Selwyn's charge "in a vacuum" and is permitted to link it to the violent crime. Selwyn, Finlay said, "knowingly disrupted" law enforcement's ability to take Longshore into custody and her assistance could have prevented a four-day manhunt. Longshore was eventually caught on June 1 during a routine traffic stop near Shelton. Selwyn also pleaded not guilty to the charge. As of Wednesday morn- ing, she remained confined in Mason County Jail. Robert Raphael, 32, of Shelton, also pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and rendering criminal assistance. Raphael has been held on $2.5 million bond since his arrest on May 28. Police allege that Raphael lied to police and was in the kitchen when Longshore opened fire on Tyler Drake, 19, and Anitrea Taber, 37. Bail was not discussed. Dorcy, though, asked whether Raphael's court-appointed defense attorney Christopher A. Baum, of Chehalis, planned to hire an expert to examine the bodies. The bodies are still in the custody of Mason County Coronor Wes Stock- well. They are unable to be released to the families until everyone signs off. Baum, however, expressed frus- tration by the fact that the defense has been given no police reports from an incident more than two weeks old. Baum said he couldn't say wheth- er or not an expert would need to ex- amine the bodies until he reviewed, at the very least, initial investigation reports. Baum said he was "mindful" of the families' wishes to bury the victims. But "I would have thought I would have received something" by now, he said. "I know how the shots took place and the impact on the victims," Baum said. "I don't know anything else:" Finlay suggested that Dorcy turn over any police reports as soon as possible. similar to an interest bearing checking account--you can pay for qualified medical expenses via check, debit card or online banking. This flexible account, combined with a high deductible health plan (HDHP), is the perfect way to save and pay for medical expenses. Ask us how you can benefit today! HSAs are a tax-free savings account available to individuals who have a qualified HDHP, where funds are used to pay for current and future medical expenses. Shelton Branch 1 360.426.4431 301 EWallace Kneeland Blvd., Suite 115 Member FDIC the quality bank Serving the Pacific Northwest since 1927 www.HeritageBankNW.com ............................. • Work Injuries ~ ~" ' ® • Car Accidents Newman Femly " Wellness Care qhVChiropractic Accepting Medicare Sarah Newman, D£ and most Insurances OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK 2211 Jefferson Street, Shelton WA 98584 It's easy to have the Journal delivered to your home or business! Call 426-4412 to subscribe. SHS alum graduates from West Point By NATALIE JOHNSON Many students dream about attending college after graduating high school. Luke Pittman dreamed of an adventure. "He wanted more than the ordinary college experience. He got it," said his mother, Linda Pittman. On May 26, Pittman, a Shel- ton High School (SHS) alum- courtesy photo nus, gradfiated from the Unit- Shelton High School alumnus Luke Pittman, ed States Military Academy at center, stands with his parents Luther and West Point in New York as a Linda Pittman, after graduating from The second lieutenant with a bach- United States Military Academy at West Point elor's degree in life science. In in May. July, he'll start taking classes toward a medical degree at West Point also has much, grams that he believed made University of California-San higher standards of conduct, the difference in his West Diego. It also has a strict honor code. Point application. "I realized about half The West Point Honor First he participated in way in ... that I wanted to Code is simple, but holds the Evergreen Boys State do medical school," he said. cadets to a high standard, American Legion camp, at "They send 2 percent at most reading, "A cadet will not lie, which he learned about state of every graduating class at cheat, steal, or tolerate those government. West Point directly to medi- who do." He also participated in cal school.". Pittman said this code was the Washington State Patrol Four years at West Pointdifficult to live up to, but ulti- Boot Camp and the Wash- is a very different commit- mately rewarding, ington Aerospace Scholars, a ment from the same time at "The hardest part is notprogram based at the Seattle a traditional university, Pitt- tolerating those who do," he Museum of Flight. man said. said. '~You find others around The aerospace program "When you're at West you who may lie and cheat was a six-month online study Point it's a lot of stress all and if you discOver that, it is program for aerospace sci- the time. You're very busy your charge to bring them up ence and math. non-stop," he said. "Graduat- on that. You might have your Pittman got an "A" for the ing from there, because it's so best friend who lies to some- program, and was invited to challenging, has been a pret- body and you witness the lie do a week-long residency at ty big milestone." ... Now it's your responsibility the Museum of Flight. Pittman said an average that he is found on that lie." "All three of these he ap- 'day started between 5 a.m. The school's honor code, a plied for and they were paid and 6 a.m., and after hours very important part of cadet for (with scholarships)," Lin- of classes, totaling about 25 life, prepares students for da Pittman said. credits per semester, drills, their time in the military, he Pittman's time in medical such as marching with a rifle, said. school will be entirely paid mandatory sports activities "The whole idea is if you for by the Army. After he fin- and stt~dying, he often didn't can't trust the people you ishes his studies, he will be get to bed until midnight or 1 work with, especially in the committed to an additional a.m. Army, it's worthless," he said. eight years and 10 months of '~rou have a lot of respon- When considering his op-service in the Army. sibility," he said. "I've been a tions for college as a student "A typical West Pointer squad leader before- I've been at SHS, Pittman first consid- has a five-year commitment in charge of everybody in my ered the Air Force Academy, of active duty se~wice ... after squad. You're really respon- but said an interview with a they graduate," he said. sible for everything they do." West Point recruiter changed Pittman said it will be at Pittman also participated his mind. least 17 years before he has in activities such as floor "I realized that (West the Opportunity to leave the hockey, football and manda- Point) was going to be the Army, but is enthusiastic tory boxing, gymnastics and " better experience for me," he about the commitment. survival swimming classes, said. "The Army is focused on "I'll be a doctor in the "They pretty much drown people and leading people. Army specifically and I will you in that class," he said. I've always been more inter- likely be deployed to various At the end of all that, ested in people." locations around the world," standing with his classmates A dedicated member of the he said. "I feel like being an at graduation, Pittman said SHS track and field team, as Army doctor is going to be an it was all worth it. well as a member of Climber awesome privilege." 'Tou know everybody to Crew, Pittman put every-In 2008, Pittman spent your left and right has been thing he had into makingtime with physicians at the through that -- you knowhis dream of attending West former Walter Reed Army you can trust those people," Point a reality. Medical Center. he said. While in high school, he"Every Army physician I Compared to other schools, participated in three pro- met, they loved what they did and they helped people a lot," he said. "I don't see how you could go home and not love what you do." Pittman is spending part of June at home in Shelton with his family before head- ing to San Diego to get set up for medical school. Despite the fact that much of his time is spent far away he says he loves his hometown. "It's about the adventure, not about the avoidance," he said. "I love coming back here." And his parents are enjoy- ing having him home before his next adventure. "He did this all himself and I'm really happy for him," his father, Luther Pit- tman, said. "He's always had a good heart and I think that speaks for itself in him want- ing to be a doctor." I Find it in the classifieds i ii,, ......... i .... Call or email by Monday at 5pm classifieds@masoncounty.com 426-4412 This newspaper has been the leading source of Local Political news and information for more than a century. If you're a candidate for office you should advertise here. For the most credible and most cost effective way to get your message out to the voters, call us today! Shelton-Mason County Call us today at 360-426-4412 or stop in our offices at 227 West Cota in Shelton' Shelton-Mason County Journal -Thursday, June 14, 2012 - Page A-3