Pubdate: Fri, 05 May 2006
Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)
Copyright: 2006 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Contact:  http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/408
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have  not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.

FIVE CHARGED WITH TRYING TO KILL DRUG INFORMANT IN SPOKANE

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Five people have been arrested and charged with 
robbing and trying to kill a man whom they had arranged to sell crack cocaine.

Only after federal agents swarmed into the house as the man fled 
through a window did the five learn he was a confidential informant 
from the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to documents 
filed Thursday in Spokane County Superior Court.

[Names redacted], pleaded innocent to charges of conspiracy to commit 
first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree 
kidnapping, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.

Judge Maryann C. Moreno set bail at $2 million on [Name redacted], $1 
million each on [Names redacted], $500,000 on [Name redacted] and 
$250,000 on [Name redacted]. Trial was scheduled for June 26.

Investigators wrote that the informant, who was not identified, went 
to Fletcher's house March 21 after arranging with Julius Lewis to buy 
nine ounces of crack cocaine for $4,000.

When he arrived, Lewis accused the man of stealing drugs from his 
girlfriend's house. He was made to disrobe, revealing an electronic 
recording and surveillance device, but the group apparently didn't 
recognize what it was and put it back in the man's clothing, then 
prepared to shoot him, according to court documents.

Federal agents, monitoring the conversation through the device, 
rushed the house as he leaped through a window. He said the gun 
failed to fire when the trigger was pulled, but he still needed 168 
stitches to close the wounds from the glass.

Meanwhile, the five were held at gunpoint pending the arrival of police.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman