In brief: CdA man sentenced for murder attempt

A Coeur d’Alene man who attempted to strangle his girlfriend last year has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted murder and multiple felony convictions.

The woman told authorities she feared for her life when Kenneth E. Schleining, 38, choked her until she was unconscious at a Post Falls gas station in September, according to a Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office news release.

When she woke up, he told her to go back to sleep because she would be dead soon, reports said. She fought Schleining and escaped.

Kootenai County District Judge Fred Gibler sentenced Schleining to 15 years in prison for attempted murder and another 10 years because of his extensive criminal history, the release said.

Schleining was convicted of felony aggravated battery in 2005 when he slit the throat of a girlfriend.

Murder suspects plead not guilty

Two men charged with the March 11 shooting death of 20-year-old Heather Cassel pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court.

Gary L. Stoddard, 45, and Jonathan J.L. Ritchey, 23, both pleaded not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping stemming from the case, in which Cassel’s body was found outside apartments near Spokane Falls Community College.

Superior Court Judge James Triplet set a trial date of May 20 for both men.