Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:
- Pierce County Jury Convicts Lakewood Robbery Mastermind
- More Learned About Seattle Actor's Death
- Thousands Greet Returning Sailors in Everett
Verdict for Plotter of Violent Walmart Robbery
Odies Walker will spend the rest of his life in prison for planning out the violent 2009 robberyat the big-chain store that resulted in the killing of an armored-car guard, Kurt Husted. Pierce County Judge Bryan Chushcoff has ordered Walker held without bail until sentencing on April 8th.
The News Tribune's Adam Lynn reports:
Husted’s relatives and friends smiled and wiped at tears as Judge Bryan Chushcoff read the verdict forms. Deborah Bishop, Hutsed’s fiancee, said the verdict was a great relief. “We deserved justice, and Kurt deserved justice,” Bishop said outside court. “We haven’t been sleeping real good lately. Hopefully, we’ll sleep a little better tonight.”
Walker, 43, had worked at the store and monitored the movements of armored guards. He recruited one relative - cousin Calvin Finley - and friend Marshawn Turpin to take part. Finley shot Husted at close range during the hold up. Finley is serving a life sentence, and Turpin faces 51 years at sentencing.
A former girlfriend who worked at the store as a floor manager was also involved. She testified against Walker during his trial.
Chamberlin Suffered Internal Injuries, Embolism
The King County Medical Examiner reports a pulmonary embolism caused the of death of popular Seattle actor, Mark Chamberlin. He was found unconscious near his bike earlier this week on Dexter Avenue on Sunday. Chamberlin, 55, died Tuesday from internal bleeding, just as he was about to be released from Harborview Medical Center, according to The Seattle Times:
The official cause of death was bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli, immobilization and superficial blunt force injury of the lower extremities, the medical examiner said.
He was the president of the board of a local chapter of the ALS Association, which raises money to help victims of Lou Gehrig's disease. Every year, Chamberlin would train for an 85-mile bike rideto help raise funds for the group, reports The Times' Susan Gilmore.
He also served on the boards of the UW School of Drama and New Century Theatre Company. His work is recognized both by Seattle artists and on Broadway, where he played several roles.
Happy Homecoming in Everett
The aircraft carrier USS Lincoln returned to portwith its 3,200 member crew Thursday, met by thousands of happy greeters. The Herald of Everett's Alejandro Dominguez reports the Lincoln spent six months in the western Pacific:
The strike group's air wing completed more than 23,500 flying hours during the deployment. The Lincoln and its group conducted exercises with France, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
In the fall, the Lincoln sails for Virginia for maintenance. Dominguez reports it will have a new home port - as yet unknown - while Everett welcomes the USS Nimitz.
Two other ships that supported the Lincoln's recent operations are also returning to Everett. The USS Momsen returned earlier Thursday; the USS Shoup will arrive Monday.
