Port Townsend: Defense strategy tries to cast doubt in murder trial

PORT TOWNSEND — Defense attorney Chuck Henry sowed the seeds of doubt in the murder trial of Robert Stoner as he cross-examined Donald Pruitt regarding the death of Douglas McFarland.

Stoner, 55, is on trial in Jefferson County Superior Court for the Oct. 2, 2000, shooting death of McFarland at Stoner’s home on Leland Valley Road.

Pruitt, 44, testified Friday that Stoner shot McFarland that evening as the three men were drinking alcoholic beverages at Stoner’s Quilcene house.

But Henry pointed out inconsistencies in Pruitt’s statements to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office detectives, the prosecuting attorney’s office and others during a lengthy cross-examination Thursday and Friday.

The full report appears in today’s Peninsula Daily News Jefferson County edition. Click on “Subscribe” to order your PDN delivered to your home or office.

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