Pruitt to be charged as an adult

No appeals from defense

EPHRATA — Brandon T. Pruitt, 17, Othello, will be charged as an adult for connection with the murder of a Grant County man in 2004.

As of Friday, Grant County Deputy Prosecutor Carole L. Highland said she is unaware of any appeals to charging Pruitt as an adult.

On July 23 at 1 p.m., Pruitt is scheduled to attend a declination hearing at Grant County Juvenile Court. A written order for the juvenile court to release jurisdiction is to be presented along with a finding of facts.

"Then he will be charged and arraigned in (superior) court," Highland said.

He may be charged the same day, she added.

Pruitt was charged with first-degree murder in March in connection with the death of Michael B. Mallon, 79, Willow Lakes.

Mallon was a retired state worker and World War II Army veteran. He was shot in the back of the head.

Pruitt, who was 14 years old at the time of the murder, is alleged to be involved with Mallon's death.

According to authorities, Mallon arrived at his residence while it was being burglarized and was subsequently killed.

In addition to first degree murder charges, Highland is charging Pruitt with second-degree murder, manslaughter, robbery, residential burglary and possession of a stolen firearm.

In March, Pruitt's brother, Dustin Gene Abrams, 23, Moses Lake, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after entering an Alford plea in response to charges for Mallon's murder.

Mallon's family requested Pruitt be brought to trial to reveal the details of the robbery and his murder.