Scott’s trial in the murder of Arcane Wilkinson begins today

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – A murder trial is set to begin today (Wednesday) in Walla Walla County Superior Court for Christian Wayne Scott, 28, of Walla Walla. He is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault in connection to the Dec. 16, 2019, death of Arcane “AJ” Wilkinson, 22, of College Place, who is pictured.

According to police, Wilkinson disappeared from College Place under suspicious circumstances in mid-December 2019. His body was found by a kayaker in the Walla Walla River near Wallula Junction on Jan. 29, 2020.

Scott was allegedly among several others at the scene where Wilkinson was shot. Authorities also arrested and charged two other men in connection to Wilkinson’s death. Authorities located and arrested Scott on a homicide warrant at an apartment building on the 400 block of West Maple Street in Walla Walla on Dec. 21, 2020.

According to court documents, Scott is also charged with tampering with a witness. That incident occurred on Feb. 22, 2020, as Joey Barnes was about to be called as a witness.

Photo of the late Arcane “AJ” Wilkinson provided by his family