More arrests possible in UI student’s death

MOSCOW, Idaho – Two Seattle men being investigated in the shooting death of University of Idaho student Eric McMillan may not be the only ones facing charges, a prosecutor said.

McMillan, a 19-year-old cornerback on the Vandals football team, was buried Thursday in Alabama, where he grew up before going to live with relatives in Southern California.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday in Murrieta, Calif., where McMillan was a standout high school player.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said the investigation into McMillan’s shooting Sept. 19 at his off-campus apartment did not end with the arrests of Matthew R. Wells II and James Wells.

“It is possible that others may be arrested, if evidence is uncovered that supports that other individuals were involved,” Thompson said. “We are trying to find the connection between the suspects and (McMillan), what happened and why it came to be.”

Second District Judge John Stegner convened a grand jury Wednesday. Thompson said he could neither confirm nor deny whether the 16-member jury is investigating McMillan’s slaying.

“We’re looking for anything that might be relevant,” he said. “Everyone is keeping a completely open mind in this case.”

The Wells brothers were being held in the Whitman County jail on charges of felony eluding a police officer. The charges stem from a high-speed chase nearly halfway across Washington, from near Pullman to Interstate 90 near Vantage, the afternoon McMillan was shot. He died early the next morning of a single gunshot to the chest.

Police have not recovered a weapon, Thompson said, noting that a weapon is not always necessary for a murder conviction.

“The more time that passes, the more difficult the search is,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we won’t find the weapon, or other items that may be relevant.”

Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy said several items of interest have been recovered from the chase route, but nothing that warrants additional charges in Washington.

The Wells brothers are scheduled to appear in Whitman County Superior Court on Oct. 8 for arraignment on the Washington charges. Arrest warrants issued by Latah County in Idaho charge them with first-degree murder, or aiding and abetting first-degree murder.