Kathy Pinna
Latest killing alarms Spokane
(continuation from description of how the number of homicides have jumped in Spokane, Washington)
. . . That will free up those two detectives to work major crimes, like the stabbing that occurred Thursday morning. In that case, 19-year-old Adam Richard Rutherford was killed in what detectives believe was a case of self-defense.
Major Crimes Lt. Scott Stephens said Rutherford and three other men got into a series of arguments with another man, 20, who lives in a apartment building at 6th and Cedar.
Detectives said they know what started the argument, but they wouldn't say why. "Rutherford and his friends started making telephone calls, making threats' against the 20-year-old man at 6th and Cedar, Stephens said. "It escalated into what happened early this morning."
After several hours of calls, Rutherford and the three men drove to 1321 6th Avenue sometime after 6 a.m., Stephens said. Two of the men - who have not been identified - stayed in the car while Rutherford and a fourth man approached the apartment. They were armed with a knife, a hatchet and some type of wrench, Stephens said. "At some point, the victim was struck and felt he had to defend himself," Stephens said. "He did draw a knife and stabbed Rutherford."
Police later found a knife sticking into the turf in front of the apartment. After the fight, the 20-year-old tenant was transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was treated for facial injuries and released, Stephens said. The other three men then took Rutherford to the hospital in their car. "According to his friends, (Rutherford) was conscious when they drove him to the hospital," Stephens said.
Detectives interviewed the two men in the car and the 20-year-old from the apartment. They were still searching for the man who joined Rutherford in the fight. Unless the stories change, the 20-year-old tenant will not face charges, Stephens said.
- The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington) Friday, January 17, 2003, on page 10.
. . . That will free up those two detectives to work major crimes, like the stabbing that occurred Thursday morning. In that case, 19-year-old Adam Richard Rutherford was killed in what detectives believe was a case of self-defense.
Major Crimes Lt. Scott Stephens said Rutherford and three other men got into a series of arguments with another man, 20, who lives in a apartment building at 6th and Cedar.
Detectives said they know what started the argument, but they wouldn't say why. "Rutherford and his friends started making telephone calls, making threats' against the 20-year-old man at 6th and Cedar, Stephens said. "It escalated into what happened early this morning."
After several hours of calls, Rutherford and the three men drove to 1321 6th Avenue sometime after 6 a.m., Stephens said. Two of the men - who have not been identified - stayed in the car while Rutherford and a fourth man approached the apartment. They were armed with a knife, a hatchet and some type of wrench, Stephens said. "At some point, the victim was struck and felt he had to defend himself," Stephens said. "He did draw a knife and stabbed Rutherford."
Police later found a knife sticking into the turf in front of the apartment. After the fight, the 20-year-old tenant was transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was treated for facial injuries and released, Stephens said. The other three men then took Rutherford to the hospital in their car. "According to his friends, (Rutherford) was conscious when they drove him to the hospital," Stephens said.
Detectives interviewed the two men in the car and the 20-year-old from the apartment. They were still searching for the man who joined Rutherford in the fight. Unless the stories change, the 20-year-old tenant will not face charges, Stephens said.
- The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington) Friday, January 17, 2003, on page 10.
