Saturday, July 5, 2014 • Whidbey News-Times
Prosecutor says more investigation needed on alleged rape case By JANIS REID Staff reporter
The Island County prosecutor has dismissed charges against a man who was accused of rape by a former girlfriend. On June 18, prosecutors charged Douglas L. Blackburn, 50, in Island County Superior Court with third-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment with sexual motivation. Both were charged as domestic-violence-related crimes. The order of dismissal of all charges was dated Friday, June 27. Prosecutor Greg Banks said his office determined that additional investigation was needed. “Since Mr. Blackburn was in custody, there was a 60-day deadline to get his case to trial,” Banks said via email. “In consultation with detectives, we concluded that the investigation would not be completed in time, so we dismissed without prejudice.” The “without prejudice” stipulation allows the prosecutor to refile charges later based on the results of further investigation, Banks explained. Banks said he couldn’t comment on any specific facts of the case as the investigation is still ongoing. Blackburn’s arrest stemmed from a call to 911 on June 14. A brief manhunt ensued and led to a North Whidbey resident’s yard. The charges could have resulted in as much as one year and eight months in
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ISLAND SCANNER Island County Sheriff
At 6:47 p.m. an Oak Harbor Road resident reported that his mailbox and a mailbox of his neighbor’s had been smashed.
The following items were selected from reports made to the Island County Sheriff’s department:
At 10:54 p.m. a couple reported running into an older male with orange hair on the beach near Dolphin Drive who went up a private stairway, broke stabilizing bars and left an unattended fire on the beach.
TUESDAY, JUNE 24 At 5 a.m. a West Beach Road resident called to say she doesn’t want anything to do with the person of interest that was seen on television the day before. At 10 a.m. a Robinson Road resident reported an injured baby coyote in a neighbor’s yard.
BLACKBURN
prison, plus an additional year for the “sexual motivation enhancement.” Blackburn’s ex-girlfriend claimed she was held against her will inside a travel trailer in a secluded North Whidbey area for nearly a week; the 42-yearold woman claimed he raped her repeatedly, according to the report by a detective with the Island County Sheriff’s Office. After his arrest, Blackburn told deputies that he had not held the woman against her will and she could have left whenever she wanted. He also told officers that he and the woman got into an argument and she threw feces at him, so he threw it back at her, according to the report. When Blackburn appeared in Island County Superior Court, Judge Vickie Churchill said she found probable cause to keep him in custody. Blackburn didn’t make any statements but continually shook his head. Blackburn could not be reached for comment.
At 12:14 p.m. a Classic Road resident reported that a man representing himself as an electrician did some work at the location until some of the appliances “blew,” after which the man got in his truck and left. At 2:20 p.m. a Taylor Road resident reported that another man came up to him and threatened him with golf club and was in possession of other unknown weapons. At 4:15 p.m. a Barr Road resident reported that a man came to his door in a blue shirt and stated he had a permit to be on the property. He told the resident he was there to put in windows. The resident told him he already has new windows. At 5:13 p.m. a Maxwelton Road resident reported that possible drug activity was going on at Castle Park because there were “kids doing some sort of drug activity there, taking turns going into the woods to do something.” At 5:42 p.m. a caller reported that someone in a gold car just pointed a gun at him near the intersection of Northeast Fourth Avenue and Northeast Izett Street.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 At 4:10 a.m. a West Beach Road resident reported a fog horn sound that lasted for about five minutes. Caller thought it was a tsunami warning but said it may have come from an air can. At 7:10 a.m. a Whidbey Avenue caller said their friend needed to go to the hospital, didn’t feel right, hadn’t been sleeping and was “going crazy.” At 9:35 p.m. a caller reported a suspicious “sleezy” looking vehicle along State Highway 525 with a “tweaker” in it. At 11:23 a.m. a property management employee reported that upon arrival at a Lopez Drive home, someone jumped out of a back window. At 12:49 p.m. a caller reported that a female driver pulled over and jumped out at West Cross Island Road and Tradewind Lane because a garden snake was coming out of her vent. The caller said they almost hit her as she stood on the side of the road. At 4:12 p.m. a caller from a Huckleberry Lane location reported a fight between “drug users” and has heard gun shots in the past from
that location. At 5:07 p.m. a Bald Eagle Way resident reported that someone known to him broke into his room and took items out of his safe. At 6:01 p.m. a caller reported that a woman threw a stick at him while bicycling along Mutiny Bay Road causing damage to his bike. At 7:07 p.m. a Cedar Street resident reported that there was a sick coyote in front of the house “in a great deal of pain.” Caller was willing to shoot the animal but wanted permission. At 9:25 p.m. a Cedar Hollow Lane resident reported noise coming from the south. The caller said sometimes it’s a band but that evening it was a baritone singing ballads. At 9:47 p.m. an Oak Harbor Road resident reported that all his fireworks had been stolen from inside the home. No other items were missing.
Caller said 15 minutes previous he had a premonition and heard “some kid is going to die” from the TV. At 12:12 p.m. a caller reported that people were “massively” harvesting clams at the beach near Monroe Landing Road and Scenic Heights Road. The caller reported that the people had six large bins full and were going back for more.
FRIDAY, JUNE 27 At 9:46 a.m. a Hawaii Lane resident reported seeing squirrels in her neighborhood that are walking funny and falling over. Caller said she thinks they might be getting into some poison. At 10:51 a.m. a caller reported a theft at a home in foreclosure on Halsey Drive where an Amish electric heater and a dehumidifier were taken.
THURSDAY, JUNE 26
At 11:13 a.m. an Ebony Place resident reported that a neighbor just caught a tree on fire and occupants were evacuating.
At 10:57 a.m. a Hodges Avenue resident reported that a crash occurred with guns and shooting happening somewhere in New York.
At 9:42 p.m. a Dusty Lane resident reported a possible prowler after she heard scratching at the back door and then saw blue jeans running away.
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