News Flash

This month the Washington Supreme Court denied review of the Court of Appeals’ decision affirming Jethro Welter’s conviction for Murder in the First Degree.

On July 15th, 2022, Welter and his accomplice shot and killed Alan Neilsen at 2106 Holcomb Road.   Later, by shooting Tannerite placed near Neilsen’s body, Welter created an explosion intending to detonate Neilsen’s remains.  Welter pled guilty to several charges as part of a plea agreement, including murder in the first degree, unlawful possession of an explosive device, and unlawful disposal of human remains, along with other firearm and drug-related charges.  

Before he was sentenced, Welter sought to withdraw his guilty plea.  Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Marilyn Haan denied Welter’s motion and sentenced him to 46 years in prison on the murder.  The court ran the sentences on his other crimes concurrent with the murder, meaning he would serve these sentences at the same time as he served his lengthier murder sentence.  

Welter filed an appeal, arguing that due to a miscalculation on his guilty plea form involving his other crimes, the court should have permitted him to withdraw his guilty plea.  The Court of Appeals held that because the miscalculation did not impact Welter’s punishment, Judge Haan did not abuse her discretion in refusing to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea.  

Welter petitioned the Washington Supreme Court for a review of the Court of Appeals’ decision.  On March 4th, 2026, the Washington Supreme Court entered an order denying Welter’s petition. 

The State was represented on appeal by Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Eric Bentson.  We appreciate the work of the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office detectives who investigated this case. 

On February 20, 2026, a jury found Scott Cartier guilty of Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Police Vehicle and Driving While License Suspended in the Third Degree.  The jury also found Cartier endangered one or more persons other than himself or the pursuing police officer.  The jury heard evidence at trial that Cartier’s former girlfriend called 911 to report he was pursuing her while driving a vehicle on Lewis River Road in Woodland.  While being pursued by police, Cartier drove at speeds of 90 MPH and swerved into the oncoming lane of travel on Lewis River Road.  Our office appreciates the work of both the Woodland Police Department and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Cartier.  The State was represented at trial by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Haley Jaskula.  Sentencing is scheduled in Cowlitz County Superior Court on March 11, 2026.

On February 23, 2026, two Cowlitz County District Court trials were held.  A jury found Amber Acrey guilty of Assault in the Fourth Degree – Domestic Violence for assaulting a family or household member.  The State was represented at trial by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Ostrove.  

In another courtroom, a District Court Judge found Christopher Cabrera guilty of DUI.  The evidence showed Cabrera drove into a parked vehicle and had a BAC of 0.17.  The State was represented at trial by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Alex Panutich.