Letter claims student fled trial in fear

The Associated Press

PULLMAN — Frederick Russell fled Pullman before his trial on charges of killing three people in an auto accident because he fears for his safety, a letter purportedly written by Russell says.

The letter also says that Russell, 22, is innocent.

Prosecutors allege that Russell, a Washington State University student, was drunk when he was involved in the June 4 accident that killed three WSU students and injured three others.

"Since the first day after the tragic accident, horrible things have been printed about me," the letter written to newspapers says. "Now people are so enraged that they would rather see me dead than receive a fair trial."

"Understand, nothing occured (sic) as the prosecutor and the media would have you believe. I maintain my innocense (sic). … Please forgive me," the letter says.

Police are trying to determine if Russell actually wrote the letter, which was sent to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and to The Spokesman-Review in Spokane.

Russell’s trial for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, scheduled to begin Monday in Whitman County Superior Court, was canceled after Russell vanished sometime last week. Conviction on the charges carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

A felony arrest warrant was issued Friday after Russell failed to appear at a hearing.

Killed in the accident on Highway 270 between Pullman and Moscow, Idaho, were Brandon Clements, 22, of Wapato, and passengers Stacey G. Morrow, 21, of Milton and Ryan Sorensen, 21, of Westport. All were seniors at WSU.

Three other WSU students were critically injured in the crash. Russell suffered minor injuries.

According to the police report, a Chevrolet Blazer driven by Russell crossed the center line in a no-passing zone, colliding with three other vehicles.

Shortly after the accident, Russell’s blood-alcohol level measured .12 percent. In Washington, the legal level of intoxication is .08.

The handwritten letter was postmarked in Reno, Nev., on Oct. 29. It says Russell had to flee for the sake of himself and his family.

Russell’s father, Gregory, a WSU professor, said his son’s life has been threatened on at least three occasions since the accident.

Police are investigating one incident involving a greeting card left on the front door of the Pullman apartment Russell shared with his father. The card said Russell would never live to see a trial.

"I will not … continue to put myself and my family at further risk of harm," the letters say. "Instead, we will lose each other forever, as a result of this horrible accident."

Prosecutor Ann Shannon said investigators will try to determine if the letters are authentic.

Investigators are still trying to determine how Russell left Pullman and where he might be headed.

He has friends and family in Northern California, just a few hours from Reno.

A sporting goods store in Moscow told investigators Russell purchased cold-weather clothes just before his disappearance. Russell also sold some of his baseball cards at Heros N Sports in Pullman.

Recent rulings in the case may have contributed to Russell’s desire to flee. The letter says that even Russell’s lawyer has "given up hope."

Three weeks ago, Judge David Frazier rejected all the motions made by the defense to eliminate blood tests as trial evidence.

The ruling did change how the defense looked at the case, said Mark Moorer, Russell’s attorney.

"But I haven’t given up hope," Moorer said. "I don’t prepare for a trial, subpoena witnesses, hire experts and go to trial without thinking I’m going to win."

He said the last time he saw Russell was at a meeting Oct. 23.