Yesterday we told you about a nearly anonymous department within theChelanCounty Prosecutor’s Office - the Victim Witness Program which serves as advocates for victims and witnesses as criminal cases progress through the justice system. 

 

Victim/Witness Coordinator Charissa  Cruickshank, along with her coworkers provided support for the Raney family and friends throughout two criminal trials, the second of which secured a guilty verdict for Steven Swinford in the death of Paul Raney.

 

Charissa recognizes the circumstances are uncomfortable, but as advocates, they are there to make the process as smooth as possible.

 

Jurors found Swinford guilty of second degree murder earlier this month and he is now scheduled for sentencing Friday in ChelanCounty Superior Court.

 

Superior Court Judge Leslie Allen will take into account letters that are submitted by both the prosecution as well as the defense before handing down Swinford’s sentence.

 

Those letters can be faxed to Chelan County Victim Witness Unit at 667-6490 or emailed to charissa.cruickshank@co.chelan.wa.us-  both methods are listed on our website www.kozi.com.

 

KOZI will be in the courtroom for Friday’s sentencing and will pass that information on to you as the story unfolds. Stay tuned and keep an eye on our website and our facebook page as we take a deeper look at Charissa’s experience with the Raney family throughout this week.

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