GUILTY WA - Ben Eastman, 16, raped and murdered, Lewis County, 23 Jun 2018

[Niner]

Salazar:

05/01/2020 Change of Plea
Judicial Officer: Toynbee, J. Andrew
Hearing Time: 02:30 PM
Cancel Reason: Stricken
Comment: in custody

link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search


but no further dates for him. I'll keep an eye out!

 

[Niner]

Hagerty - looks like the 5/7 hearing & trial on 5/11/20 have been cancelled due to COVID19

05/01/2020 Order
Comment: Pursant to General Order dated 04/30/2020

05/11/2020 Jury Trial
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Comment: Stricken

06/04/2020 Trial Confirmation
Judicial Officer: Toynbee, J. Andrew
Hearing Time: 11:15 AM

link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search


Thompson:

05/01/2020 Order
Comment: Pursant to General Order dated 04/30/2020

05/04/2020 Jury Trial
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Cancel Reason: Court's Request

06/04/2020 Review Hearing
Judicial Officer: Toynbee, J. Andrew
Hearing Time: 01:00 PM

link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search

 

[Niner]

Salazar - oops I missed a hearing....


05/01/2020 Change of Plea
Judicial Officer: Toynbee, J. Andrew
Hearing Time: 02:30 PM
Cancel Reason: Stricken
Comment: in custody

05/06/2020 Change of Plea
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 02:45 PM
Result: Held
Comment: in custody / via ZOOM

05/06/2020 Guilty Plea Only Hearing

05/06/2020 Notice of Hearing

05/06/2020 Amended Information

05/06/2020 Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W

05/06/2020 Case Resolution Guilty Plea Before Trial Commencement

09/10/2020 Set Sentencing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 03:00 PM

link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search

okay - another guilty plea... 2 to go... and then there is Adamson's appeal on his guilty plea!

 

[Niner]

and another one down - 1 to go...

Hagerty:

05/06/2020 Change of Plea
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 2:30 PM
Result: Held
Comment: out of custody

05/06/2020 Guilty Plea Only Hearing

05/06/2020 Notice of Hearing

05/06/2020 Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W

05/06/2020 Case Resolution Guilty Plea Before Trial Commencement

05/11/2020 Jury Trial
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Cancel Reason: Court's Request

05/11/2020 Order Establishing Conditions of Release
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Comment: Amended

06/04/2020 Trial Confirmation
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 11:15 AM
Cancel Reason: Stricken

09/10/2020 Set Sentencing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 11:15 AM


link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search

 

[oviedo]

Just when you think you‘ve seen it all...

[...]

In charging documents obtained by Q13FOX, prosecutors said that phone records show the brothers lured the 16-year-old into the woods on June 24 for a camping trip in Randle, located about 110 miles south of Seattle.

Adamson told detectives that after Eastman joined the brothers, he was knocked to the ground and kicked more than 100 times by the pair, according to court documents. At one point, the 21-year-old allegedly told police the brothers sexually assaulted the teenager with a stick while he was still alive, Q13FOX reported.

Jonathon Adamson and Benito Marquez

Eastman was then allegedly struck repeatedly in the head with a rock to make sure he was dead, before being buried by the brothers in the grave.

[...]

@Niner
Thank you for your work on their trials - good to see justice for this boy
JMO

 

[Niner]

@Niner
Thank you for your work on their trials - good to see justice for this boy
JMO

 

[Niner]

Still on the court site has happening....

Thursday, June 4th:
*Review Hearing (@ 1pm PT) – WA – Benjamin III (16) (June 23, 2018, Randle; found June 28, 2018) – for *Jerald E. Thompson (24) arrested (7/19/19), charged (7/24/19) & arraigned (8/22/19) with 2 counts of 1st degree rendering criminal assistance & misleading LE. Plead not guilty. Unsecured bond. Bonded out.
Trial was set to begin on 3/11/20 continued to 5/4/20 was cancelled.
8/13/19 Update Preliminary hearing. Bond unsecured. 8/14/19: Appointed attorney. 8/22/19: Arraignment & pretrial hearing on 9/12. 9/12/19: Motion hearing on 10/7/19. Trial was set to begin on 11/12/19. Defense filed motion to dismiss. 10/16/19: Knapstad Motion – Evidentiary hearing. 11/7/19: Motion hearing – waived speedy trial. Next trial confirmation hearing on 1/23/20 & trial now set to begin on 1/27/20.
1/23/20 Update: Trial for 1/27/20 has been moved to 2/17/20. Next Trial Confirmation hearing on 2/13/20. 2/13/20: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Next Trial Confirmation hearing on 3/5 and trial now scheduled for 3/11.
3/5/20 Update: Trial for 3/11 has been stricken. Next Trial confirmation hearing on 4/30. Trial is now scheduled to start on 5/4.
4/6/20 Update: Trial confirmation hearing on 4/30 has been cancelled. Also the trial to start on 5/4 has also been cancelled due to the coronavirus. A Review hearing is set on 5/7. 5/4/20 Update: Review hearing on 5/7 has been cancelled. Next review hearing on 6/4.
*Amanda Lyn Hagerty (42) – 5/6/20: Plead guilty. Sentencing on 9/10/20.
*Michael D. Salazar (17) – Plea Only hearing on 5/6/20 & plead guilty. Sentencing on 9/10/20.
*Jonathon Robert Adamson (21) – Plead guilty. Sentencing hearing on 3/11/20. 2/4/20: Has changed his mind & wants to change his plea. Sentencing stricken from calendar. Waiting for Adamson’s appeal.
*Benito “Benny” S. Marquez (16) – Plead guilty & agreed to a sentence of 413 months (just over 34 years) in prison. Sentencing on 3/11/20. Sentencing stricken from calendar. Waiting for Adamson’s appeal. 4/2/20: Motion for condition of release hearing. No update as of 5/4.
*Kindra Rose Adamson (43) - Plead guilty. Faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing on 3/11/20. Sentencing stricken from calendar. Waiting for Adamson’s appeal.
*Emma L. Brown (20) – Plead guilty. Sentenced on 9/5/19 & will be credited for time served (90 days suspended).

 

[Niner]

Thompson:

06/04/2020 Review Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 01:00 PM
Result: Held
Comment: not in custody

06/04/2020 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W

06/04/2020 Notice of Trial Date

09/10/2020 Trial Confirmation
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 03:00 PM

09/14/2020 Jury Trial
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM


link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search

 

[Niner]

going thru my old cases - missed a hearing for Adamson; still don't have sentencing date that was supposed to happen back on 3/11.

J. Adamson - docket update:

03/11/2020 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 01:00 PM
Cancel Reason: Stricken

05/15/2020 Certificate of Mailing

05/19/2020 Certificate of Mailing

05/20/2020 Certificate of Mailing

07/13/2020 Motion
Comment: to Modify Conditions of Release

07/13/2020 Notice of Hearing

07/16/2020 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 03:00 PM
ResultL Held
Comment: Modify Conditions

07/16/2020 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W

07/16/2020 Order Denying Motion Petition
Judicial OfficerL Lawler, James W
Comment: to Modify Conditions of Release

07/17/2020 Certificate of Mailing

08/03/2020 Certificate of Mailing


link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search



Don't really understand this motion for "modify conditions of release" - but it was denied, whatever it was!

 

[Seattle1]

going thru my old cases - missed a hearing for Adamson; still don't have sentencing date that was supposed to happen back on 3/11.

J. Adamson - docket update:

03/11/2020 Sentencing Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 01:00 PM
Cancel Reason: Stricken

05/15/2020 Certificate of Mailing

05/19/2020 Certificate of Mailing

05/20/2020 Certificate of Mailing

07/13/2020 Motion
Comment: to Modify Conditions of Release

07/13/2020 Notice of Hearing

07/16/2020 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W
Hearing Time: 03:00 PM
ResultL Held
Comment: Modify Conditions

07/16/2020 Motion Hearing
Judicial Officer: Lawler, James W

07/16/2020 Order Denying Motion Petition
Judicial OfficerL Lawler, James W
Comment: to Modify Conditions of Release

07/17/2020 Certificate of Mailing

08/03/2020 Certificate of Mailing


link: Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search

Don't really understand this motion for "modify conditions of release" - but it was denied, whatever it was!

^^bbm

I'm fairly certain it goes back to the same reason JA pulled the plea deal he was offered. JA does not want to be sentenced to life (i.e., conditions of release from prison).

What part of 42.5 years to life in prison did JA not understand?!!

JA, then age 21 - is no minor, and I think he is still fighting for Benito's (then age 16) sentence. (WA State law does not allow for a minor to be sentenced to life in prison).

I also recall that JA had to pass a polygraph test to seal his plea agreement and I'm not certain he did just that-- another reason to withdraw his plea and take a trial. (We know that Benito's polygraph resulted in several others charged in the murder of Ben)!

Suspect Asks to Withdraw Guilty Plea in Eastman Homicide Case

From Feb 20, 2020:

Just as it looked like the seven criminal cases filed in the killing of a Randle teen in June 2018 were about to wrap up, one of three suspects charged with murder in the case is looking to walk back an admission of guilt.

Jonathon Adamson, then 21, pleaded guilty in July 2019 to first-degree murder, first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping in Eastman’s death, and pleaded guilty to an additional two counts of witness tampering dating to February 2019.

[..]

“Jonathon Adamson now has a new attorney and has indicated he may want to withdraw his guilty plea,” he said Tuesday.

Adamson submitted a handwritten letter to the court on Jan. 13, declaring that he intended to withdraw his guilty plea, saying his attorney did not adequately explain the terms of the plea deal.

[..]

Adamson’s plea agreement included an agreed-upon sentence of 510 months, or 42 and a half years to life in prison, provided he meet requirements set by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, including providing a full and accurate account of Eastman’s death. The Chronicle reported the terms of the deal when he pleaded guilty in 2019.

“It is my understanding that the courts can sentence me to life and I did not agree to that,” Adamson wrote. “If that is the case then I want my trial.”

Adamson also said he no longer wanted to be represented by his court-appointed attorney, Don Blair.

“Time and again he has proven himself to be ineffective assistance of counsel. I have various reasons for believing so. The matter mentioned above is one of them,” Adamson wrote.

Attorney Erik Kupka has been assigned to represent Adamson going forward. A hearing has not yet been scheduled on a formal withdrawal of Adamson’s plea.

If Adamson’s sentencing is delayed, three other scheduled sentencing hearings in the other cases will be as well, Meyer said.

ETA: Of course, JA's motion to modify his conditions of release was denied.

 

[Seattle1]

I think JA's trial date has been at a standstill since March when he was initially supposed to be sentenced, to July 13 when he filed that silly motion to modify his release conditions -- which was denied by Judge Lawler on July 16. At this time, there's no word on a trial date that I can see in the system.

Case Information

18-1-00497-21 | STATE OF WASHINGTON vs JONATHON ROBERT ADAMSON

• 03/11/2020 Sentencing Hearing
  
  Judicial Officer
  Lawler, James W
  
  Hearing Time
  01:00 PM
  
  Cancel Reason
  Stricken
  
  
• 05/15/2020 Certificate of Mailing
  
  
• 05/19/2020 Certificate of Mailing
  
  
• 05/20/2020 Certificate of Mailing
  
  
• 07/13/2020 Motion
  
  Comment
  to Modify Conditions of Release
  
  
• 07/13/2020 Notice of Hearing
  
  
• 07/16/2020 Motion Hearing
  
  Judicial Officer
  Lawler, James W
  
  Hearing Time
  03:00 PM
  
  Result
  Held
  
  Comment
  Modify Conditions
  
  
• 07/16/2020 Motion Hearing
  
  Judicial Officer
  Lawler, James W
  
  
• 07/16/2020 Order Denying Motion Petition
  
  Judicial Officer
  Lawler, James W
  
  Comment
  to Modify Conditions of Release
  
  
• 07/17/2020 Certificate of Mailing
  
  
• 08/03/2020 Certificate of Mailing
  

Odyssey Portal - Washington Courts Online Case Search

 

[Niner]

Thanks a bunch @Seattle1 for that explanation. Understand! I knew he withdrew his guilty plea. So he was trying to re-negotiate the plea deal - which motion denied.

and edited to add - I'll try & remember to keep an eye out on this.

 

[Clair Louise]

Was there ever a motive for this or was it just gratuitous violence?

 

[Seattle1]

Was there ever a motive for this or was it just gratuitous violence?

Ben's dad appeared on Dr Phil and the best I can recall was this was over a girl but I don't think any more details given. For the number of people ultimately charged in connection to Ben's death, I have a difficult time with the "girl" explanation. Doesn't this sound more like a horrific gang call/initiation? Just speculating as I have no direct knowledge of such cells. MOO

 

[Niner]

Ben will be getting a bit of justice today....

Thursday, Sept. 10th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 3pm PT) – WA – Benjamin Eastman III (16) (June 23, 2018, Randle; found June 28, 2018) – for *Michael D. Salazar (17/now 18) arrested (7/19/19), charged (7/22/19) & arraigned (8/1/19) with 1st degree murder, tampering with evidence & 1st degree rendering criminal assistance. $250K Bond.
Court documents allege that he knew about the plan to assault Eastman before it happened, but did nothing to warn anyone and furthermore physically prevented his ex-girlfriend from alerting anyone.
Court info from 7/22/19 thru 9/12/19 reference post #429 here:
Found Deceased - WA - Ben Eastman, 16, raped and murdered, Lewis County, 23 Jun 2018 *B. Marquez GUILTY*
10/17/19 Update: Next Set Trial Date hearing on 11/7. 11/7/19: Waived speedy trial. Set Trial Date hearing continued to 12/12. 12/12/19: Also motion hearing held. Next set trial date hearing on 1/30/20. 1/30/20: Next Change of Plea & Sentencing hearing changed to Plea Only hearing on 3/4/20. 3/4/20: Hearing rescheduled for 3/6.
3/6/20 Update: Salazar was scheduled to enter a guilty plea Wednesday. However, the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office learned Salazar potentially had new information regarding charges of witness tampering filed against another suspect, Jerald Thompson, originally scheduled to go to trial next week. Salazar could now be a witness in Thompson’s trial. In that event, prosecutors hope to sort out a plea agreement with Salazar before Thompson’s trial begins on 5/4/20. Hearing was stricken, rescheduled for 5/1.
5/1/20 Update: Hearing for plea change was cancelled. A Plea only hearing was held on 5/6/20 where Salazar entered a plea of guilty. Sentencing will be on 9/10/20.

ALSO:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 11:15am PT) – WA – Benjamin Eastman III (16) (June 23, 2018, Randle; found June 28, 2018) – for *Amanda Lyn Hagerty (42/now 43) (Salazar’s mom) arrested (7/19/19), charged (7/22/19) & arraigned (7/25/19) with 2 counts of 1st degree rendering criminal assistance & misleading LE. Plead not guilty. $250K bond. Bonded out (7/29/19).
Trial was set to begin on 2/25/20 continued to 5/11/20-cancelled plead guilty.
Court info from 7/22/19 thru 12/5/19 reference post #450 here:
Found Deceased - WA - Ben Eastman, 16, raped and murdered, Lewis County, 23 Jun 2018 *B. Marquez GUILTY*
12/26/19 Update: Defense files motion to dismiss charges. Next Motions hearing re motion to dismiss on 1/22/20, Trial confirmation hearing on 2/20/20 & trial set to begin on 2/24/20.
1/22/20 Update: Hearing held & plead not guilty & wants hearing to dismiss. Next Knapstad hearing (Motion to Dismiss) on 2/6/20. 2/6/20: No info on motion to dismiss. Next trial confirmation hearing on 2/20. Trial was changed to 2/25.
2/20/20 Update: Defense motion for trial continuation-granted. Next trial confirmation hearing on 5/7, and trial set to begin on 5/11/20.
5/4/20 Update: Trial confirmation hearing on 5/7 & trial set to begin on 5/11 have been cancelled. Next trial confirmation hearing on 6/4. 5/6/20 Update: Trial confirmation hearing is cancelled. Change of plea – plead guilty. Sentencing on 9/10/20.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 10th:
*Trial Confirmation Hearing (@ 3pm PT) – WA – Benjamin Eastman III (16) (June 23, 2018, Randle; found June 28, 2018) – for *Jerald E. Thompson (24/now 25) arrested (7/19/19), charged (7/24/19) & arraigned (8/22/19) with 2 counts of 1st degree rendering criminal assistance & misleading LE. Plead not guilty. Unsecured bond. Bonded out.
Trial was set to begin on 3/11/20 continued to 5/4/20 was cancelled & reset for 9/14/20.
Court info from 8/13/19 thru 4/6/20 reference post #487 here:
Found Deceased - WA - Ben Eastman, 16, raped and murdered, Lewis County, 23 Jun 2018 *B. Marquez GUILTY*
5/4/20 Update: Review hearing on 5/7 has been cancelled. Next review hearing on 6/4. 6/4/20 Update: Review & motions hearing held. Set trial date. Next trial confirmation hearing on 9/10 & trial will begin on 9/14.
*Jonathon Robert Adamson (21) – Plead guilty. Sentencing hearing on 3/11/20. 2/4/20: Has changed his mind & wants to change his plea. Sentencing stricken from calendar. Waiting for Adamson’s appeal. No update as of 9/10.
*Benito “Benny” S. Marquez (16) – Plead guilty & agreed to a sentence of 413 months (just over 34 years) in prison. Sentencing on 3/11/20. Sentencing stricken from calendar. Waiting for Adamson’s appeal. 4/2/20: Motion for condition of release hearing. No update as of 9/10.
*Kindra Rose Adamson (43) - Plead guilty. Faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing on 3/11/20. Sentencing stricken from calendar. Waiting for Adamson’s appeal. No update as of 9/10.
*Emma L. Brown (20) – Plead guilty. Sentenced on 9/5/19 & will be credited for time served (90 days suspended).

 

[Niner]

Any locals following this case? I can't find anything "current" when I search. Anyone know "what" each of the sentences were?
The court site is down for me today, so can't see if Thompson still has trial starting 9/14. I'll try again later in the day.

TIA if you find the sentencings!

 

[Seattle1]

Any locals following this case? I can't find anything "current" when I search. Anyone know "what" each of the sentences were?
The court site is down for me today, so can't see if Thompson still has trial starting 9/14. I'll try again later in the day.

TIA if you find the sentencings!

I did receive an email alert from VINE Service but nothing else in the news. I guess he made bail (???):

09/10/2020

This e-mail is to inform you that there has been a change in the custody status of the offender MICHAEL SALAZAR. This offender has been released from custody as of 09/10/2020. If you have any concerns about your immediate safety, contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911.

For more information, contact Lewis County Sheriff. The telephone number is (360) 740-1344.

 

[Seattle1]

I missed this earlier about Michael Salazar

Plea Hearing for Randle Murder Charge Delayed; Prosecutor Cites ‘New Information’

March 6, 2020

A guilty plea hearing for the third person accused of murder in the death of Randle teen Benjamin Eastman III in June 2018 has been rescheduled after new information was discovered, Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer told The Chronicle.

Michael Salazar, 18, of Kennewick was scheduled to enter a guilty plea Wednesday. However, the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office learned Salazar potentially had new information regarding charges of witness tampering filed against another suspect, Jerald Thompson, originally scheduled to go to trial next week.

Meyer said he couldn’t disclose the new information, but said Salazar could now be a witness in Thompson’s trial. In that event, prosecutors hope to sort out a plea agreement with Salazar before Thompson’s trial begins, Meyer said.

 

[Niner]

Thanks a bunch for all that info! A March article?? Wonder why the court site doesn't have anything updated re plea agreement??!!

Just looked it up - they do have it updated now.... will post info.