Raugust conviction overturned

THOMPSON FALLS – Richard Raugust’s life sentence conviction for the 1997 murder of Joe Tash was overturned, Monday, due to new evidence allegedly confirming his innocence.

Judge James Wheelis granted Raugust’s petition for post-conviction relief in response to a hearing last December. During the hearing, it was revealed previously unknown evidence was available to prove Raugust’s alibi.

The judge ruled the new evidence created a violation of due process and the trial should be revisited.

Tash was found dead in his camping trailer near Trout Creek in 1997, the apparent victim of murder. Raugust was convicted in the 1998 trial and sentenced to life in prison, but a 2012 appeal claimed there was new evidence available. The new evidence allegedly proves someone else was the murderer.

A new trial is being scheduled to hear the case again with the new evidence.