Grant County seeks funds for murder case

EPHRATA — Grant County officials requested $101,000 in assistance from the state, claiming Dustin Gene Abrams' court costs and stay in jail have created an "extraordinary" financial burden.

Abrams, 23, of Moses Lake, is accused of shooting to death 79-year-old Michael B. Mallon, of Soap Lake, in March 2004. He's been charged with aggravated first-degree murder. Abrams says he's not guilty. He's been held in Grant County Jail on the charge since June 2005, and is now awaiting his Feb. 26 trial date.

The county sent a petition Wednesday to the state's Office of Public Defense, which can distribute money to counties to help fund criminal cases, said June Strickler, administrative services coordinator in the county commissioner's office.

Strickler said it's been difficult thoroughly documenting costs associated with Abrams' murder case and stay in jail. The county's petition amount is only the "tip of the iceberg" of costs associated with Abrams, she said.

"What we have submitted is not a very realistic number," Strickler said. "It's low and it's ultraconservative."

The county, in its petition, did not include maintenance and repair costs to Abrams' cell, damaged by the constant clogging of his toilet and resulting flooding. It does not take into account costs associated with his August 2005 escape attempt, when he chiseled halfway through the cinder blocks of his cell. The petition did not include decontamination procedures, laboratory analysis and lost employee time resulting from mail reportedly sent by Abrams to the Grant County Prosecutor's Office containing a "white, powdery substance," according to a copy of the petition.

Strickler said money spent handling Abrams' "legendary" requests for public records are also not included. In one example, she said, Abrams continues to request information on the penetration values of protective vests worn by Grant County sheriff's deputies.

Alan White, supervisor for the county's public defenders in 2006, said three attorneys worked on Abrams' murder case last year. White said public defenders in Grant County Superior Court cannot exceed 150 case credits per year.

One of Abrams' public defenders, who was paid $100,000 by the county in 2006, devoted 43.5 of his case credits to representing Abrams against the murder charge last year, White said.

The county's petition asks for $9,133 for defense attorney services, which is only a portion of last year's total. The petition documents $31,493 in prosecution costs in 2006.

The state Office of Public Defense is an independent agency of Washington's judicial branch of government. It was established by the Legislature in 1996.