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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 1, 2005 Grand jury indicts shooters Fugitives who led cops on a wild chase last week face multiple felony charges By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Two fugitives who exchanged gunfire with police during a wild car chase will face a heap of charges, including multiple counts of attempted aggravated murder, upon their return to Jackson County. Grand jurors Wednesday deliberated for five minutes before announcing the indictment of Conan James Lapping, 24, and Jonathan Tomsson Hench, 22, on numerous felonies in connection with a police chase last Friday that began on Foothills Boulevard south of Grants Pass and ended with a standoff at the 5200 block of East Evans Creek Road in Rogue River, Chief Deputy District Attorney Beth Heckert said in a prepared release. Lapping faces 18 charges, including five counts of attempted aggravated murder, five counts of first-degree attempted assault, two counts of attempting to elude, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and delivery of methamphetamine. Hench was charged with five counts of attempted aggravated murder, five counts of first-degree attempted assault, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Attempted aggravated murder carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction. Lapping remains in the Del Norte County Jail in Crescent City, Calif. Hench is being held at the Josephine County Jail in Grants Pass. It is unknown when they will return to Jackson County for arraignment on these charges, officials said. Advertisement Meanwhile, the grand jury Wednesday found the two Oregon State Police troopers who fired at the fugitives at the home in Rogue River were justified in using deadly force under Oregon law. Jurors heard three hours of testimony before absolving senior trooper Joey Pollard and trooper Brandon Boice of any wrongdoing in the incident. Both men are members of the OSP SWAT unit. They attempted to ambush the white Lincoln carrying the fugitives at the home on East Evans Creek Road. The troopers could return to duty as soon as today, Barthel said. The grand jury heard from 10 witnesses — including Boice and Pollard — and detectives from Jackson and Josephine counties. At about 7:30 p.m. Friday, OSP troopers attempted to stop a Lincoln driven by Lapping on Foothills Boulevard near Grants Pass. Lapping was wanted for an Aug. 9 escape from troopers after a traffic stop revealed his car carried stolen handguns and methamphetamine. The Lincoln sped away, at one point intentionally crashing into an unmarked OSP Chevy Blazer, and tore down backroads north of Rogue River with troopers in pursuit. Both men fired at police during the pursuit, Barthel said. The chase ended at the 5200 block of East Evans Creek Road, when OSP troopers shot at the suspects as they approached a house in the Lincoln. The fugitives managed to enter the home, and later slipped past police and escaped town. Lapping was arrested early Saturday in Crescent City, Calif. Hench surrendered at the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office that afternoon. Lapping was treated for a superficial gunshot wound sustained during the shoot-out. Police would not comment on his injuries. Reach reporting intern Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Grand jury indicts shooters ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Distance Education www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Helzberg Diamonds Computer Security Casino Gambling Sites Cheap Website Templates Budget Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Memory Foam Mattress Diamonds Online Poker Home Equity Loans Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Advertisement s