Deputy shooting suspect still free

Prosecutor's office alleges suspect used or possessed drugs

EPHRATA - A Grant County judge denied a request from the prosecutor's office to place a man charged with shooting an off-duty deputy in January back in jail.

Marcher was released from jail after he posted a $70,000 bond.

The Grant County Prosecutor's Office asked that Robbie Joe Marcher be returned to jail for allegedly possessing or using illegal drugs, said Grant County Prosecutor John Knodell on Wednesday. Drug use or drug possession violates the conditions of Marcher's release.

Knodell said a test given to Marcher showed a presence of THC in Marcher's system.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a main active chemical in marijuana, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse's Web site.

Knodell acknowledged THC can remain in a person's system for a while.

Judge John Antosz allowed Marcher's bail to remain the same and told Marcher what the rules of release were about.

Marcher's public defense attorney Brett Billingsley wasn't immediately available for further comment.

Marcher, 38, of Moses Lake, was arrested in January for allegedly shooting Grant County Deputy Earl Romig, 26, once in the back with a 30-06 rifle while Romig was coyote hunting near Soap Lake.

Marcher was later released from jail after he posted a bond and awaits his September trial.

Marcher was charged with third-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and failing to summon assistance. He later reportedly told detectives he thought he shot at a coyote and didn't return to see what he hit.

Romig survived the shooting and currently attends physical therapy appointments as part of his recovery.