Questions remain in Hawthorne Park killing - December 3, 2003

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2003-12-05

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53 °F 5 Day Forecast Friday, December 5, 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 3, 2003 Questions remain in Hawthorne Park killing Investigators finished gathering evidence at Hawthorne Park Tuesday afternoon, nearly 24 hours after a stabbing there killed one man and seriously injured another. Gary Washebek was found dead at a picnic table at about 2:20 p.m. Monday. Michael William McKercher also was attacked and staggered about 100 yards. McKercher remained in serious condition Tuesday night at Rogue Valley Medical Center. Christopher York Coffin, the man police claim stabbed the two, is lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of murder, attempted murder and first-degree assault.He is scheduled to be arraigned today in Jackson County Circuit Court. Medford police Lt. Mike Moran said the department’s investigators and Oregon State Police crime lab technicians completed a final walk-though of the crime scene at the park around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Police still haven’t released any information about possible motives or discussed how the three men knew one another. Washebek, who told people he was a veteran who lived on disability, spent time in the park helping homeless people there, according those who knew him. After Monday’s attack, Coffin fled across East Jackson Street, through the Medford Center parking lot and eventually went to the Veterans Affairs center in White City, where he was treated for minor injuries police said he received in the attack. A knife investigators said was used in the attack was found at the center. The medical examiner is set to do an autopsy on Washebek Thursday morning, Moran said. Prosecutors plan to present the case to a grand jury Thursday afternoon. 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