Victim's mother says allegations of assault untrue

SANDPOINT — The mother of a slain Priest Lake man does not believe allegations that her son sexually assaulted a woman linked to his killing.

"No way. I'm certain of that," Phyllis Scott said of the plausibility of the claim that Leslie Carlton Breaw forced himself on Tyrah Brea Brown. "Les wasn't like that at all."

The sexual assault allegation was raised by Brown's husband, Keith, who is also charged in connection with Breaw's murder. Keith Brown has maintained the allegation factored into a confrontation in January 2007 that left Breaw dead.

But Scott said her son was neither a womanizer nor somebody who pursued unavailable women, such as Tyrah Brown.

Scott, who lives in California, said she does not know Keith Brown, nor was unaware the Browns moved into a home on Breaw's property in Coolin. It was within walking distance of that property that Breaw, 48, was gunned down with a .22-caliber rifle allegedly wielded by Keith Brown.

Keith Brown, also 48, has said that an argument erupted while the two were target shooting and Breaw was shot in a struggle over one of the weapons. Brown has also asserted that Breaw was the aggressor.

Breaw's body was discovered by a state forestry worker several months after the shooting and the Browns were arrested in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

Tyrah Brown, 26, is awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder and grand theft by possession of stolen property. Keith Brown is likewise charged. The theft charges involve a $56,000 escrow check the couple allegedly stole from Breaw.

Tyrah Brown allegedly confessed to shooting Breaw, but Keith Brown has said  she lied to investigators in order to protect him.

The criminal case against Keith Brown has been suspended due to questions concerning his mental fitness and ability to assist in his own defense. Some, including several jail chaplains, insist Brown is mentally competent to proceed in his case.

Shortly before his killing, Scott said her son was planning to meet with her and her husband in Oregon. He also had plans to rendezvous in Hawaii with a boat he had purchased in Malaysia, said Scott.

"I'm hoping for justice for my son's murder," she said.