2nd suit filed over shooting

SANDPOINT — The widow of a man slain in an officer-involved shooting at Priest Lake is suing Idaho State Police to recover property seized as evidence and force the disclosure of public records related to the deadly confrontation.

Counsel for Robin Andrews filed the action in 1st District Court on June 1. The filing coincides with a wrongful death suit against Bonner County filed by Andrews in U.S. District Court.

Both actions stem from the death of Craig Albert Johnson on Sept. 27, 2017, in Coolin. Idaho State Police said Bonner County sheriff’s deputies had no choice but to utilize deadly force when Johnson, 50, emerged from his cabin in the 600 block of Private Drive while pointing a loaded handgun at deputies.

Andrews disputes that deadly force was necessary and argues in both civil suits that Johnson was shot in the back.

Johnson was killed two days after Andrews requested a welfare check on her husband, whom she could not reach by phone. State police said a deputy who conducted the welfare check was threatened by an armed Johnson.

That confrontation resulted in a $30,000 arrest warrant for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, which deputies were attempting to serve when Johnson was killed.

Andrews’ counsel, Hayden attorney April Linscott, said authorities were also attempting to serve a warrant to search Johnson’s cabin and vehicles for evidence related to the initial confrontation. Linscott argues the warrant was constitutionally defective because it was overly broad, according to the suit.

The suit against ISP and Det. Michelle Brostmeyer said a 9-millimeter Kel-Tec pistol, a .40-cablier Sig Sauer and a .308-caliber Primary Weapons Systems rifle were seized, but never returned. An Apple laptop computer and a camera for tracking wildlife were also seized. The latter item was returned, although its recorded contents were not.

Linscott contends Johnson’s effects should be returned because he is no longer the subject of a criminal investigation or prosecution.

“In other words, there was no need for the property,” Linscott said in the suit.

The suit also seeks a hearing to compel ISP to release investigative records.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.