Alleged Cascade Valley shooter pleads not guilty

New developments expected pending more investigations

EPHRATA — A 25-year-old Warden man charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Jan. 2 Cascade Valley double shooting pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday.

Christian Alberto Gonzalez-Ramirez, accused of shooting to death 25-year-old Frankie Corral Jr. of Othello, entered his plea before Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline.

The judge scheduled a Feb. 20 pretrial conference and March 6 trial date.

Moses Lake attorney William Plonske represented Gonzalez-Ramirez during Tuesday's hearing. Gonzalez-Ramirez is being held in Grant County Jail on $1 million bail.

Grant County Prosecutor John Knodell, in an interview following the hearing, said "expect new developments next week." Knodell declined to comment on the possibility of additional charges being filed in the case. He said Gonzalez-Ramirez is set to appear in court Jan. 30.

"This investigation is very much ongoing," the prosecutor said.

Corral was found dead, face down in a dirt driveway, at a duplex in Cascade Valley on Jan. 2, the Grant County Sheriff's Office reported. Corral died of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, Grant County Coroner Jerry Jasman said.

A second man was found wounded outside the duplex, 8060 Road 4.2 Northeast, according to the sheriff's office. Scotty R. Slenker, 20, was taken to a Spokane hospital with a bullet wound to the head.

Slenker, of Moses Lake, remains in the hospital recovering from the shooting, Chief Deputy John Turley said Tuesday. Slenker reportedly told a sheriff's office detective he was shot by Gonzalez-Ramirez, court records show.

Gonzalez-Ramirez has no previous criminal history in the sheriff's office database, Turley said.

A search of the duplex by investigators turned up a pistol-grip, short-barreled shotgun and two loaded handguns, court documents indicate.

Forensic specialists with the Washington State Patrol are processing a green-colored SUV for latent print evidence in connection with the sheriff's office investigation, Turley said. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, a 2001 Ford Expedition. It's being kept in a secured location in Grant County, he said.

"We believe it was used in the commission of the crime," Turley said.

He said detectives are continuing to vigorously work the case. There may be additional arrests in connection with the shooting, he said.

"This case is becoming extremely involved," Turley said.

Already, the sheriff's office arrested 24-year-old Christina Lee Warren in connection with the shooting. Knodell charged her with first-degree kidnapping. Warren pleaded not guilty. Bail of $500,000 was set for the charge.

Warren, of Moses Lake, is accused of participating in the abduction of Corral's 16-year-old girlfriend, a detective's report indicates. The report, filed in superior court, said Gonzalez-Ramirez was also identified as one of the girl's abductors.

The alleged abduction occurred several hours prior to the Jan. 2 shooting. The girl told detectives she was taken to a residence, restrained and reportedly told multiple times that Gonzalez-Ramirez intended to kill Corral. Her abductors tried to use her to determine Corral's whereabouts, including allegedly holding a gun to her head and cutting her hair, court records show.

The girl identified Gonzalez-Ramirez and Warren using photos from detectives, records show.