SEATTLE — A man found guilty of first-degree murder in the 1993 rape-strangulation death of Seattle punk-rock singer Mia Zapata was sentenced Friday to more than 36 years in prison.
Prosecutors had asked that Jesus C. Mezquia, a 49-year-old Cuban national, be sentenced to a standard sentencing range of 20 years to 26 years and six months.
King County Superior Court Judge Sharon Armstrong on Friday cited the extreme nature of Zapata’s injuries in issuing the extreme sentence of 36 years and six months.
Associated Press
Ozette: Archaeology
site is vandalized
National Park Service officials are investigating vandalism to rocks near centuries-old Makah petroglyphs that offer a window into the tribe’s history. Park spokeswoman Barb Maynes said the vandalism, which included scratching pictures into rocks in the Wedding Rocks area, happened last weekend at the hands of a Boy Scout troop from the Seattle area. "There were marks within the archaeological area, but not within the petroglyphs themselves," Maynes said.
Peninsula Daily News
Kirkland: Sims OKs camp for homeless
King County Executive Ron Sims announced Thursday that he will allow a temporary tent city for the homeless on county property near Kirkland. His action headed off a possible confrontation next week with two Seattle-based groups that earlier this month vowed to occupy parkland somewhere in unincorporated King County on May 6 if no agreement could be reached on a permanent location for their tent city. Sims said a temporary tent city will be allowed for 90 days on vacant land adjacent to the Brickyard Road Park-and-Ride at 15530 Juanita-Woodinville Way N.E. near Kingsgate.
King County Journal
Wenatchee: Security increased at festival
Authorities here have increased security for this weekend’s Apple Blossom Festival. Last year, the festival included 90 law enforcement officers. This year, the city of plans to have 120 officers on the streets. Wenatchee Police Department Sgt. John Kruse said additional drug recognition experts became available from the Washington State Patrol. Police officers working the festival will focus on keeping traffic moving and controlling crowds. There will be strict enforcement of alcohol-related crimes, fights and disorderly conduct, Kruse said. Last year, officers said they were outmanned at times.
Associated Press
Karelian bear dogs
show their tactics
A pair of Karelian bear dogs that have been used to condition hundreds of wild grizzly and black bears to stay away from people in the western U.S. and Canada showed off their skills for federal and state wildlife officers on Thursday near Lake Wenatchee. The dogs, from the Wind River Bear Institute in Utah, are credited with saving the lives of problem grizzlies that would otherwise have been shot. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife bought one of the $2,000 dogs last year, making it the first one to be used in the state.
The Wenatchee World
Ellensburg: Penney store closing today
JC Penney Co. store manager Steve Hydorn-Young said he will close the store today and bring an end to 84 years in downtown Ellensburg. Doors open at 10 a.m. and business will continue until there is not much left to sell or until customers thin out. "People have come in to say goodbye, and the store looks pretty empty. One woman baked cookies for us," Hydorn-Young said.
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