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Judge to hear convicted triple murderer John A. Booth’s motion in May

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Convicted killer John A. Booth Jr. will be back in Lewis County next month, when a judge will hear his contention eavesdropping on inmates in the jail was governmental misconduct and jeopardized his rights to confidential communications with his lawyers.

The former Onalaskan was sentenced to life in prison for the August 2010 shootings at the home of 52-year-old David West Sr., from whom prosecutors contended Booth was seeking payment of a debt for a local drug dealer.

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John A. Booth Jr.

Booth was 31 years old when he was arrested for the slayings of three people, and wounding of a fourth person at the residence on Wings Way, off of Gore Road.

He’s lost his appeal, he’s lost his personal restraint petition and the upcoming hearing grows out of his December 2012 motion to vacate the judgement and sentence based on court rule 7.8.

He is represented by court assigned defense attorney Erik Kupka.

Kupka and Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher went before Lewis County Superior Court Judge RIchard Brosey this afternoon.

Booth and Kupka have requested various documents from the state to prepare for the hearing, and today Meagher told the judge his position is all information required to be turned over has been turned over.

Judge Brosey said he was denying any further requests for materials related to Booth’s request, noting his attorney would presumably make requests as he sees fit.

Four of the many individuals from the sheriff’s office expected at the May hearing have pre-paid planned vacations, according to Meagher.

Judge Brosey indicated they should be excused from the May 2 and May 3 proceedings, and if their testimony is still needed, the proceedings can reconvene when they return.

Booth was sentenced under the state’s so-called three strikes law.

Losing their lives on Aug. 21, 2010, along with West Sr., were 16-year-old David “D.J.” West Jr. and 50-year-old Tony Williams of Randle. West Sr.’s girlfriend, Denise Salts, survived a gunshot wound to her face

Booth denied shooting them.
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For background, read “”Ear hustling”: Convicted murderer John Booth tells judge about problems at Lewis County Jail” from Friday July 5, 2013, here [2]