Bonney Lake and Sumner Courier-Herald, August 22, 2012

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SEE INSIDE: Bonney Lake begins 2013-2014 budget process, Page 4 . . . . Buckley council votes to close jail, Page 4 . . . Truck found abandoned in Tapps, Page 11

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Domestic killer claims years of abuse By Brian Beckley Staff Writer

Mthulisi Ndlovu of Bonney Lake pleaded guilty on Aug. 10 to the second-degree murder of his girlfriend Mary Mushapaidzi. The plea bargain will see him sentenced for the crime in the near future, though the defendant has submitted extenuating circumstances for consideration, claiming years of abuse at her hands. He faces a minimum of

123 months— more than 10 years—in prison, though the judge has discretion to hand down a life sentence. Ndlovu killed Mushapaidzi his former wife following a fight over dishes on Oct. 9. He attempted to burn her body in a barrel in the

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East Pierce team saving homes from eastern fire Taylor Bridge fire close to containment on Monday

Weather

Today, Wednesday, should be cloudy and cool with occasional sunshine cameos. Highs in the hi-60s and lows around 50. Cooling will continue through Thursday and Friday, with high temperatures in the 60s and lows swooping to the mid-40s.

By Brian Beckley Staff Writer

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views with Mr. Ndlovu, I believe him to be the primary victim of ongoing intimate partner violence,” wrote Dr. April Gerlock in her evaluation. “His behaviors are not behaviors of an IPV perpetrator.” According to the report, Ndlovu still suffers from flashbacks to atrocities he witnessed as a child in Zimbabwe, including beatings,

garage at the Inlet Island home the couple shared. But a report from a psychiatrist assigned to Ndlovu describes a suspect with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder stemming from his time growing up in Zimbabwe during the civil war of the 1980s. The report also details years of degradation and abuse from Mushapaidzi. “Based on a review of the documents… and based on my inter-

Performers from Roach Gymnastics provided some of the entertainment at Bonney Lake Days, along with fire twirlers and music from acts such as Aces Up. The city also hosted a 5K fun run, fireworks and a parade (right) to get the weekend of fun under way. Photos by Kevin Hanson

A team from East Pierce Fire and Rescue continues to assist in fighting the Taylor Bridge fire near Ellensburg. Five members of the department were sent last week to battle the 22,000-acre fire, East Pierce Chief Jerry Thorson said. “They’re still there, still working at it,” Thorson said. “They’re working to protect area structures from the blaze. Really, they could be there for up to two weeks.” One of the department’s three brush engines, manned by a team of three firefighters, were sent to help last week. A brush engine is a four-wheel drive wildland firefighting vehicle, about the

See fire, Page 3

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