Father suspected of killing son

NEWPORT — A 58-year-old Metaline Falls man is charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter domestic violence for allegedly killing his son, Casey Holter, 34, Thursday, Aug. 21 at a Sullivan Lake home.

Randy I. Holter made a first appearance in District Court Friday, Aug. 22. Bail was set at $10,000. He has bonded out.

According to the statement of probable cause, Pend Oreille County sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Border Patrol responded to a report that Casey Holter was trying to hit his mother and father about 9:40 p.m. Thursday night.

When law enforcement arrived, they saw Randy Holter holding Casey Holter in a chokehold at Randy Holter’s home. A Border Patrol agent pulled Randy off and began rendering aid. Casey was unresponsive but alive, with a weak pulse and not breathing normally. Randy appeared exhausted.

Medical units arrived and administered aid, but Casey never regained consciousness and was pronounced deceased in the living room of the home, according to the probable cause statement.

The statement said that the two had played golf earlier that day, had eaten at a Mexican food restaurant in Chattaroy, then returned to Ione and met up with Randy’s brother. The three went to the American Legion in Metaline Falls and had some alcoholic beverages.

They continued drinking in the shop at Randy Holter’s home. After the brother left Casey hugged Randy and punched him in the side, according to the statement.

“Randy and Casey then went from the shop into the residence and Casey was still trying to fight Randy,” Deputy Morgan Johnson wrote in the probable cause statement. “I was advised Randy had put Casey into a chokehold several times and when gurgling was heard, Randy would release the hold. Between the holds Casey was attempting to still fight.”

Randy Holter was interviewed outside the home and told law enforcement that they had been drinking. He said he had brought Casey into the house to talk with his mom because he thought she could calm him down. Casey went after his mom, and that was when he put him in a chokehold, according to the probable cause statement.

The mother said Casey was trying to get to Randy. She was trying to get Randy to leave, but he thought Casey would try to hurt her. His mother was concerned that Casey was on drugs because she had never seen him so strong or aggressive before.

In addition to the $10,000 bond, Randy Holter is prohibited from contacting his wife, who is a witness, except for phone contact to arrange for services for their son. He is also prohibited from consuming alcohol.

The maximum penalty for first-degree manslaughter is life in prison and a $50,000 fine. The maximum penalty for second-degree manslaughter is 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Arraignment is set for Thursday, Aug. 28 in Pend Oreille County Superior Court.