Mayoral candidates face off at forum
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REPORTER
Rowing their way to the regatta
REDMOND
SOUND PUBLISHING, INC.
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REDMOND-REPORTER.COM
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019
Redmond Pool finally under construction
STEPHANIE QUIROZ/STAFF PHOTO
Community members and city councilmembers gathered on June 21 to tour the pool.
Second trial in killing of Redmond woman ends with not-guilty verdict After 11 years, no resolution for family of 24-year-old Arpana Jinaga. By Ashley Hiruko ahiruko@soundpublishing.com
What still stands out to Redmond police Lt. Brian Coats, years after the body of Arpana Jinaga was discovered in her apartment in 2008, is the smell of bleach and how her bedroom was saturated with an oily substance — later determined to be motor oil. It’s the burn marks on her bedroom carpet and on the satin sheets pulled from the garbage dumpster. But the most memorable thing throughout the investigation, first trial and subsequent retrial, was getting to know the “brilliant person” who was sure to go far in the world, Coats said. He heard about her accolades from
family and friends. A recent immigrant from India and a graduate of Rutgers University, Jinaga had worked at EMC in Bellevue. She practiced martial arts and participated in a motorcycle club. She volunteered at the Redmond Fire Department and an organization that cares for unwanted pets. “She was well liked by many and devoted to her family,” Coats said. A second trial for Emanuel Fair, a suspect in the homicide case of 24-year-old Jinaga, ended with a not-guilty verdict on June 11. He was acquitted of a first-degree murder with sexual motivation charge. The first trial happened in 2017, and the jury was unable to come to a consensus. “After nine years of fighting, Fair has the freedom he deserves,” defense attorney Ben
Goldsmith said. “Emanuel has steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout this case and he, his family and friends are greatly relieved that justice was served by his acquittal.”
Details of the case found in court documents The night before Jinaga was discovered, the tenants of the apartment building where she had lived hosted a Halloween party, according to court documents. Jinaga and other tenants decorated their apartments and opened their homes to attendees. At about 3 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008, those who remained from the joint party were gathered in an apartment on the first floor. Jinaga said she was going home See VERDICT, Page 5
By Stephanie Quiroz squiroz@soundpublishing.com
Redmond Mayor John Marchione, Sen. Manka Dhingra of the 45th Legislative District, City Council members and community members gathered at the Redmond Pool on June 21 for the Phase 1 Pool Improvement Project kickoff. The pool systems at the Redmond Pool have outlived their life and after 47 years, pool improvements are necessary and critical for the future use of the pool as a community space. Phase one improvements — which started on June 24 — will include new mechanical systems, new air handling units, new boiler systems, improved circulation and new electrical, roof, and windows. The pool will be closed until early fall. In 2016-17, Marchione said the city preformed extensive community outreach and aquatics was identified as a top community priority. The city later conducted an energy audit and a consultant recommended improving the existing pool as the most cost-effective approach to maintain aquatics within the community. See POOL, Page 7
Woman dies, two children injured in crash near Redmond The children are 4 months old and 2 years old and have been trasnported to Harborview Medical Center. A 19-year-old Seattle woman died as a result of a two-car crash near Redmond on SR-202. Two children sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and were transported to Haborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to Washington State Patrol. The accident happened at 4:29 a.m. on June 25. The woman, driving a black Ford Mustang, was exiting from a private circular driveway when a white Toyota Tundra struck the driver-side door of the car. As a result, the Mustang left the roadway into a westbound ditch and the Toyota struck a tree. The driver of the Toyota, a
24-year-old male, was injured and transported for medical care. The woman was deceased at the scene. Her two juvenile passengers, two girls who were 4 months old and 2 years old, are believed to be the woman’s children. State trooper Rick Johnson said the 2-year-old was unrestrained and the infant was in a carseat that wasn’t properly restrained. The 2-year-old was ejected from the car. An unsafe turn is listed as the cause of the accident. Other factors, including speed and impairment, have not been ruled out.