Three people from Coulee City and a Soap Lake man were arrested on warrants Nov. 5 in connection with the death of a man in an assault last month in Coulee City.
     The suspects were to hear anticipated charges of second-degree murder in preliminary hearings slated for 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, Nov. 6, reports Grant County sheriff John Turley.
     Arrested and booked at Grant County jail were Alexander L. Wiltfong, 18, Coulee City; Robert M. Wiltfong, 23, Coulee City and Soap Lake; Michael M. Loska, 20, Soap Lake, and a 15-year old boy from Coulee City.
     Grant County Sheriff's Office detectives, assisted by the Inter Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team and the marshal of Coulee City, arrested the suspects without incident, said Turley.
     Jeff Alan Smith, 49, Coulee City, was found dead at his home two days after a physical fight allegedly involving the suspects, reported Turley.
     A Grant County deputy was advised of the fight at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in Coulee City. Several people were in a physical fight and one man was injured, according to the report.
     A friend of Smith's found him dead in his bed at 4:40 p.m. Oct. 12.
     Turley said an autopsy report found Smith had received severe blunt force trauma to his head and those injuries were problematic to his death.
     The sheriff said shortly after receiving the autopsy report his detectives began working backward to re-establish the crime scene, collect evidence, and interview witnesses and people of interest.
     "Within two hours after affirmation of probable cause, warrants were reviewed by Judge Ken Jorgenson and all four subjects were arrested," said Turley.
     He said by definition a person is guilty of second-degree murder if ". . . with intent to cause the death of another person but without premeditation, he or she causes the death of such person or of a third person . . . “ or if “he or she commits or attempts to commit any felony, including assault . . ."