Trial begins in Spokane Valley shooting

The trial of two men charged in connection with a shooting outside a Spokane Valley bar last February got under way Wednesday. Jarrod E. Veilleux, 30, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and Terrance D. Riley, 33, is charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance for helping the shooter get away. Veilleux and Riley were arrested separately in Montana last year and charged in connection with the Feb. 24, 2012, shooting at the Oasis Tavern at 14913 E. Trent Ave. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and has recovered. Detectives identified fingerprints on a pint glass and on a glass whiskey tumbler as belonging to Veilleux and Riley. At the time of the shooting, both men were on probation in Montana and prohibited from leaving the state. Veilleux has the word ‘Pile’ tattooed across the knuckles of one his hands, which matches witness descriptions of the shooter. A sheriff’s detective also reviewed the men’s Facebook profiles and found a photograph showing Vellieux with a blue Ford Explorer that matched the vehicle described as fleeing the shooting scene, according to court records. Veilleux’s attorney, Kari Reardon, did not dispute that her client shot the victim following a dispute outside the bar. However, she said the victim was intoxicated and the evidence will only show an altercation between two men. “You will find the state has not presented enough evidence of pre-meditation or intent to cause great bodily harm,” Reardon said. “At the end of this case, you will find Mr. Veilleux not guilty.” As for Riley, defense attorney John Stine said essentially that the prosecution has the wrong man. He did not dispute that Riley and Veilleux were at the bar together on the night of the shooting. The shooting victim “for whatever reason picked Mr. Veilleux for a confrontation,” Stine said. As Riley sat at the bar, the victim “ran in to say, ‘I’ve been shot.’ (Riley) got into his vehicle and left,” Stine said. “The last he saw of Mr. Veilleux was that night. When you look at all the evidence, you will see clearly that Mr. Riley did not commit a crime.” The trial before Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen is expected to last into next week.