Pruitt pleads not guilty

Defense objects to 27 charges being filed

EPHRATA — Brandon T. Pruitt, 17, Othello, pled not guilty to multiple charges brought against him in Grant County Superior Court Monday morning.

Pruitt is alleged to be involved in the 2004 murder of Mike Mallon. Pruitt's brother, Dustin Abrams, 23, Moses Lake, was sentenced to 24 years in prison in March for Mallon's murder.

Pruitt was 14 years old at the time of Mallon's death.

The charges brought against him included murder in the first degree, premeditated murder in the first degree, second degree murder, second degree murder with a deadly weapon enhancement, manslaughter in the third degree, manslaughter in the first degree with a deadly weapon enhancement, robbery in the first degree, robbery in the first degree with a deadly weapon enhancement, burglary in the first degree, burglary in the first degree with a deadly weapon, residential burglary, residential burglary with a deadly weapon enhancement, burglary in the second degree, burglary in the second degree with a deadly weapon, several counts concerning possession of a stolen firearm, several counts concerning theft of a firearm and for being a juvenile in possession of a firearm.

Pruitt's attorney Ken Therrien entered a written objection to deputy prosecutor Steve Scott's filing of 27 charges in superior court against Pruitt, according to court documents.

Therrien asserts the charging information violates Pruitt's rights under the Constitution and the state Constitution.

"Mr. Pruitt submits said charging information is defective in that it does not adequately advise him of the nature of the charges against him and that the charging information is duplicitous, multiplicitious and is violative of well established legal principles of improper stacking of offenses and merger," Therrien wrote.

Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz presided over the arraignment hearing but did not decide on the objection. The judge voiced concerns about his ability to hear any part of the case against Pruitt.

Antosz said he may be disqualified from the case due to legal action taken when Pruitt was being charged in juvenile court. The defense and prosecution agreed to allow Antosz to hear the plea entry because the matter was not viewed as a discretionary act.

Superior Court Judge Ken Jorgensen is expected to preside over the case.