Moses Lake man pleads innocent to manslaughter

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake electrician charged in the beating death of his girlfriend pleaded not guilty Monday to first-degree manslaughter.

William M. Creek, 48, didn't speak during his court appearance in Grant County Superior Court except to say "Not guilty, your honor" while entering his plea to the charge. His trial was set for April 29.

His girlfriend, Elizabeth D. Bouvier, 39, of Moses Lake, died March 2 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Creek reportedly told police Bouvier was his fiancee the day of the incident, court documents state.

She was being treated in Spokane for life-threatening head injuries after she was allegedly beaten by Creek on March 1 in Moses Lake.

Creek was later arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault, but the charge was upgraded to first-degree manslaughter after Bouvier died.

Creek was represented in court Monday by public defense attorney Michael Prince, who told the court his client was advised of his rights.

Creek was laid off from his job as an electrician and reportedly has no liquid assets at this time, Prince said.

Creek was renting and making payments on vehicles before his arrest, Prince said.

The case unfolded on March 1 when police were called to the Moses Lake Wal-Mart to a report of Creek allegedly assaulting Bouvier.

A Wal-Mart employee told police Creek allegedly became angry after the employee asked him for his receipt before pumping propane, court documents state. Creek walked to a pickup and allegedly punched Bouvier's leg three to four times, making her cry.

Officers received a second emergency call concerning domestic violence about four miles away from Wal-Mart on Maiers Road, Ruffin said.

The officers arrived at the parking lot of Cappelli's Salon where Creek and Bouvier were inside the pickup.

Court documents state an employee of the salon saw the driver hitting what appeared to be a child in the passenger seat.

The supposed child was reportedly Bouvier, who was described by friends and family as a small woman.

She was first taken to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake and later transferred to Sacred Heart where she died the next day.