DA’s office preps for murder trial

By on Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

Morrow County – Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson says his office is scrambling to get all the evidence to the defense in the slaying of Richard Broadbent on March 9. His stepson, 39-year-old Caleb Beehler, is charged with the crime.

In addition to police reports, eyewitness statements, and forensic clues, the DA’s office is charged with submitting all digital evidence to defense attorney Dean Gushwa.

“Nowadays, law enforcement has body cameras and some patrol vehicles have digital evidence,” Nelson said. “That’s a requirement that we gather all that digital evidence and submit that to defense counsel.”

Nelson said that Office Manager Deona Siex is working hard to get that digital evidence together. Beehler is being held without bail on a single charge of second-degree murder. His next court date will be this Thursday.