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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Murder solved in Colville coffee shop

Stevens County Prosecutors filed charging documents Tuesday detailing the allegations against woman charged last week with killing a man believed to be her half-brother in Colville.

Deena L. Bailey, 49, remains held on a $1 million bond after she was arrested last Thursday on the charge of second-degree murder in connection with the apparent beating death of 56-year-old David S. Barr.

Two witnesses said they saw Bailey, who had hitched a ride from Plummer, Idaho, a few days before, beating on David Barr during a night of heavy drinking on Jan. 9. One witnesses said he saw Bailey swinging at Barr with a bag containing tools.

That same witness returned to the apartment later that night to check on David Barr, who refused medical attention his head wounds. However, Colville Police were summoned Thursday morning to the apartment on West 2nd Street by the victim’s brother, Robert Barr.

Inside, an officer found David Barr dead in the sitting position on his couch.

Bailey, who was discovered Thursday sleeping on the couch of a local coffee shop, agreed to answer questions but claimed she had no idea that David Barr had died. She accused David and Robert Barr of sexually harassing during the night of drinking, according to court records.

Bailey, who is also described as a cousin in charging documents, is scheduled to appear on Jan. 29 for an arraignment, Deputy Prosecutor Matt Enzler said.

Read one of the best police reports ever written here.



Thomas Clouse
Thomas Clouse joined The Spokesman-Review in 1999. He s currently the deputy editor for the business section. He previously worked as an investigative reporter for the City Desk and covering federal, state and local courts for many years.

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