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Wednesday, May 29, 2013 | 75 cents
Sports..................................Page 3 Views...................................Page 6 Obituaries.........................Page 10 Summer Discover..........Page 11 Classified...........................Page 22
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Sports...
Fraser trial going to jury this week Editor’s note: The trial of Malcolm Fraser has lasted nearly two months with testimony from each side that was, at times, very emotional. The judge was careful to instruct all parties in the courtroom that the only individuals who are to consider the credibility of any witness are the members of the jury. Fraser is presumed innocent of all charges and only the members of the jury are able to decide his innocence or guilt. Fraser is a pastor with the Enumclaw based Sound Doctrine Church. Neither the church nor the other church members are on trial. The charges, testimony and trial proceedings are very serious and this publication will continue to report on this trial until the case is decided by the jury.
By Dennis Box Editor
Thursday Update
Devin Liebel brings home a gold medal Page 3
King County Superior Court Judge Lori K. Smith ruled the closing statements were to be given Tuesday, May 28. The jury will hear about 30 minutes of instruction from the judge followed by closing statements from
Deputy Prosecutor Jason Simmons and defense Attorney Ann Carey. It was likely the case went to the jury for deliberation Tuesday afternoon.
Defense rests
The defense in State vs. Malcolm Fraser rested May 22 in King County Superior Court at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. The 40-year-old Sound Doctrine
Church assistant pastor was charged with two counts of first-degree child rape and two counts of first-degree molestation involving an 11-year-old girl living in Enumclaw. The incidents were alleged to have occurred from 2005 to 2006 and the girl is now 18. Fraser did not take the stand to testify. Fraser entered a not guilty plea to the charges in April 2012 and the trial began almost two months ago, April 3.
Defense
The defense presented the heart of its case May 20-22. It was the first week of defense without any prosecution witnesses taking the stand. Carey presented numerous witnesses testifying that Fraser and his wife did not live at the family home of the young woman who has made the allegations for the length of time
the young woman and other state witnesses testified. The timeline is an essential block in the defense case and was hammered home by witnesses Carey called to the stand. Most of the witnesses testified Fraser and his wife lived in the home with the family six or seven weeks, from the end of March to May of 2006. The young woman who brought the allegations forward had testified she thought Fraser moved into the family’s home in late September of 2005. Other state witness testified the Frasers lived in the home in late 2005 or early 2006. Fraser’s wife, Julie Fraser, took the stand May 20 and testified through an American sign language inter-
See TRIAL, Page 21
City administrator takes island post
Weather The forecast for today, Wednesday, calls for showers and mostly cloudy skies with high temperatures to 66. A chance of showers continue over night with lows to 50. A chance of showers continues Thursday with highs to 64.
By Kevin Hanson Senior Writer
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Ellrod presented the U.S. Navy flag at the Memorial Day program Sunday at the Honoring James Enumclaw Veterans Memorial Park. The Gateway Band and Allegro Women’s Ensemble perthe fallen formed for the gathering. Photo by Dennis Box
Mike Thomas is trading life on the Plateau and proximity to Mount Rainier for life on an island and a short jaunt to the beach. After eight years with the city of Enumclaw, including three as the community’s top non-elected official, Thomas has chosen to move on. After a rigorous candidacy, he was offered – and accepted – the position as county manager in San Juan County. Thomas floated to the top from an initial field of 44 candidates. Of the five finalists, he was the only one currently living in the state. Enumclaw Mayor Liz Reynolds said she’s sad to see her right-hand-man depart, but pleased that Thomas is able to follow a dream. “I’m very excited to see him move to the next step in his professional career,” Reynolds said.
See THOMAS, Page 7
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