Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 - Week 48
Fanning found guilty of murder
Moments after a jury found 62-year-old Bruce Frank Fanning guilty of second-degree murder in the April 2017 shooting death of 31-year-old Nathaniel J. Rosa, the victim’s mother, Linda Ann Rosa, right, embraces Charity Dorcy on Nov. 21 in Mason County Superior Court in Shelton. Journal photos by Michael Heinbach
Jury convicts 62-year-old Belfair man on lesser second-degree charge
By MICHAEL HEINBACH
michael@masoncounty.com “Well, I guess I’ll see you in about 20 years.” That’s what Bruce Frank Fanning told courthouse security the morning of Nov. 21 as Mason County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Bill Philpott led the 62-year-old Belfair man to Mason County Jail in Shelton. Moments earlier, a 12-member jury found Fanning guilty of second-degree murder in the April 2017 shooting death of Nathaniel J. Rosa, a lesser charged offense than the first-degree premeditated murder charge argued for by Mason County Prosecutor Michael Dorcy. Dorcy and Richard Woodrow, Fanning’s defense attorney, wrapped up closing arguments late in the day Nov. 19 before the eight-male, four-female jury began deliberating the following morning. About 24 hours later, the jury reached its verdict. Multiple sources within the Mason County Prosecutor’s, Sheriff’s and Superior Court Clerk’s offices confirmed to the Shelton-Mason County Journal that the jury initially voted 11-1 to convict Fanning of the premeditated murder charge before agreeing unanimously on a second-degree murder conviction. That relieved Fanning of the burden of premeditation. “The truth is, there’s frustration to the extent that it is a premeditated murder. I truly believe that, and the jurors that I did have a chance to speak with, they saw that and felt that same way pretty quickly,” Dorcy said. “That’s a form of vindication for the way I’ve always seen the case.” Dorcy told the Journal that with a five-year enhancement for using a firearm, Fanning’s sentence will range between 183 months (15 years, three months) and 280 months (23 years four months). His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 17 in Mason County Superior Court. For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
City gears up for holidaysBy GORDON WEEKS
gordon@masoncounty.com The annual Christmas parade, a tree lighting in Post Office Park and trips through a Christmas tree maze are among the highlights of holiday events staged Dec. 6 and 7 in downtown Shelton. During the Holiday Magic First Friday on Dec. 6, downtown businesses will be open until 8 p.m. A snow globe will be hidden at one of the businesses, and everyone who spots it will receive a raffle ticket to enter a drawing to win a variety of gift baskets. The raffle tickets need to be dropped off at Cooper Studios, 409 W. Railroad Ave., before 8:15 p.m. to be entered into the drawing. The 2018 film “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” will be screened at 4 p.m. Dec. 6. at Shelton Cinemas. Admission is free with the donation of nonperishable food. West Railroad Avenue in the downtown corridor will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 3 p.m. for the First Friday Activities presented by the Kristmas Town Kiwanis Club. Fire pits will be lit. The Christmas tree at Post Office Park will be illuminated at 6 p.m., choirs from local schools will sing, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance. Patrons can enjoy wagon rides and kiddie trains travelling along West Railroad Avenue. The Holiday Magic Christmas Parade is staged from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 on West Railroad Avenue in downtown Shelton. The Kristmas Town Kiwanis Club, Little Creek Casino Resort and Peninsula Credit Union sponsor the annual event. After the parade, patrons can walk to 414 W. Franklin St. to see an attempt to beat the Guinness Book of World Records by displaying the most lighted Christmas trees at one site. The trees will also provide a maze to meander through, and will remain open until Dec. 15, when the trees will be donated to local families. For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
Shelton High School senior Dreann Merriman, shown Friday at Westside Lanes in Olympia, helped guide the Highclimbers to a 6-0 record. Journal photo by Justin Johnson
Shelton High School senior Merriman
leads undefeated bowling squad
By JUSTIN JOHNSON
justin@masoncounty.com
A stellar showing at last year’s 3A state bowling championships earned Shelton High School’s Dreann Merriman an eighth-place individual finish and a second consecutive top-six state placing for the Highclimbers.
Now a senior and the Climbers’ team captain, Merriman’s sights are locked in on getting better.
“For myself, I’m working to improve my adjustment on lane conditions and a better mindset,” Merriman said. “For the team, we strive to improve how consistent we can be rather than how good we can get.”
Through Shelton’s first six dual matches, Merriman is bowling a 171 per game average and the Climbers are 6-0 overall (4-0 South Sound Conference).
“I think the driving factor to our decent start this year is everybody’s positivity and willingness to improve,” said Merriman, who was the Shelton-Mason County Journal’s All-County Most Valuable Player last season in bowling and girls’ golf.
That positivity and commitment to improvement will be key this year, Merriman added, especially with just a handful of returning bowlers from the Climbers’ squad that has made state the past two seasons and won the South Sound Conference’s regular season title last year after winning 13 straight dual matches and 15-of-17 overall.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
justin@masoncounty.com
A stellar showing at last year’s 3A state bowling championships earned Shelton High School’s Dreann Merriman an eighth-place individual finish and a second consecutive top-six state placing for the Highclimbers.
Now a senior and the Climbers’ team captain, Merriman’s sights are locked in on getting better.
“For myself, I’m working to improve my adjustment on lane conditions and a better mindset,” Merriman said. “For the team, we strive to improve how consistent we can be rather than how good we can get.”
Through Shelton’s first six dual matches, Merriman is bowling a 171 per game average and the Climbers are 6-0 overall (4-0 South Sound Conference).
“I think the driving factor to our decent start this year is everybody’s positivity and willingness to improve,” said Merriman, who was the Shelton-Mason County Journal’s All-County Most Valuable Player last season in bowling and girls’ golf.
That positivity and commitment to improvement will be key this year, Merriman added, especially with just a handful of returning bowlers from the Climbers’ squad that has made state the past two seasons and won the South Sound Conference’s regular season title last year after winning 13 straight dual matches and 15-of-17 overall.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
