Trial date set for murder suspects

By Zachary Van Brunt • December 3, 2013 4:23 pm

John Jennings and Adam Jennings face murder chargers in the September shooting of a grouse hunter near Pontiac Ridge. OCSO photos

OKANOGAN – Two Chesaw men accused of shooting and killing a hunter earlier this year now know when their trials begin.

John W. Jennings and his son Adam S. Jennings were arraigned Monday, Dec. 2, in Okanogan County Superior Court. Judge Chris Culp scheduled both trials to begin Jan. 7, 2014.

Both men pleaded not guilty, and both qualified for public defenders.

John Jennings, 57, is represented by attorneys Nicholas Blount and Anthony Castelda. Adam Jennings, 27, has three co-councils: Melissa MacDougall, Michael Prince and Mubarak Raheem.

One or both of the Jennings men allegedly shot and killed Michael R. Carrigan, 52, of Hoquiam, Wash. over Labor Day weekend this year.

Carrigan was hunting grouse near the Jennings’ property along Pontiac Ridge Road on Sept. 1. After firing two shots and missing the bird, his hunting partner George Stover, 65, also Hoquiam, said he heard shots coming from a shack across the road, referring to the Jennings’ home.

Stover drove off to find help. Carrigan was found dead when deputies arrived.

Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office officials interviewed father and son at the time, and both were considered persons of interest in the crime. They were arrested Nov. 19.