Document text
43 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, December 13, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 4, 2003 Police say stabbing followed fight By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune A fight preceded the stabbing of two men in Medford’s Hawthorne Park this week, police said. Investigators said they still hadn’t uncovered a motive behind Monday’s attack that ended the life of 40-year-old Medford resident Gary Washebek. Michael William McKercher, 33, also suffered stab wounds, and was recovering Wednesday at Rogue Valley Medical Center where nursing staff listed him in good condition. Washebek’s body was found around 2:20 p.m. slumped on a picnic bench about 200 feet from East Jackson Street, officials said. An autopsy was set for Wednesday evening, but results would not be released before this afternoon’s grand jury hearing, said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. Police arrested Christopher Coffin, a 41-year-old transient, in connection with the slaying. Facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and first-degree assault, he appeared in Jackson County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon. A bandage encased his left middle finger, which was cut in the scuffle, police said. Coffin was treated for the wound at the Veterans Affairs domiciliary in White City, where police said they found a folding buck knife — believed to be the murder weapon — in a trash bin. Officers tracked Coffin to the nearby Cascade Shopping Center and arrested him around 8 p.m. Monday. He remained in the Jackson County Jail without bail Wednesday. Advertisement Detectives said they still don’t know the relationship between Coffin, Washebek and McKercher, who apparently is homeless. One witness told investigators that all three men were involved in the fight, which lasted about one minute, said Medford police Detective Bill Ford. At one point, Washebek and McKercher were sprawled on the ground, Ford added. Coffin apparently walked away unnoticed after the stabbing, Ford said. Several people saw Washebek sitting hunched over at a picnic table beneath a tree, but assumed the man was sleeping, Ford added. However, police are seeking more witnesses. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Medford Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section at 774-2230. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times