[1]Defense attorney John Crowley offers comfort to his client as proceedings adjourn for the day.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Ricky Riffe’s murder trial is expected to resume this morning after taking a one-day recess because his father passed away.
Riffe, 55, is charged in the 1985 abduction, robbery and deaths of Ed and Minnie Maurin from Ethel. The trial in Lewis County Superior Court is in its second week.
“I understand his mind might be elsewhere,” Judge Richard Brosey said yesterday morning when the parties convened.
Defense attorney John Crowley told the judge he learned his father died the evening before and his client was emotionally unable to assist counsel.
Brosey said he understood Crowley’s ability to represent Riffe was curtailed by the news.
Riffe’s parents live in Arizona, where his mother has been taking care of his dying father. They have not attended any part of the trial, but did travel to Chehalis during early hearings.
His step-son and step-son’s mother have been at the courthouse since proceedings began. They traveled from Alaska, where Riffe has lived since 1987.
Brosey told jurors the unexpected day off was not related to anything they needed to concern themselves with, and apologized. Riffe thanked the judge before leaving the courtroom.
The former Lewis County resident has been held in the Lewis County Jail since July of last year, when he was arrested at his home in King Salmon and returned here for the trial.
The judge made it clear one day was the maximum amount of time for bereavement.