Mallory Ewart claimed the car wash would benefit the family of hit-and-run victim Gordon Patterson. Police say the money, instead, went to help bail the suspect — her boyfriend — out of jail.
Outside court this morning, Ewart’s attorney said his client’s intentions really were pure.
“Her position is that she did not do the car wash for the defendant in this case and it wasn’t a theft,” attorney Charles Buckley said.
Ewart, 18, of Vancouver made her first appearance in Clark County District Court this morning to face a charge of third-degree theft by deception. A trial date will be set at a hearing Feb. 16.
Buckley already entered a “not guilty” plea on Ewart’s behalf last month.
Ewart did not speak before Judge Vernon Schreiber and scurried out of the courtroom as soon as her hearing was over.
Patterson, 50, was a popular technology teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School. He was killed at 4 p.m. Sept. 15 by a motorist while bicycling home from work along Northeast St. Johns Road.
Antonio E. Cellestine, 18, faces felony hit-and-run charges in connection with Patterson’s death.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by deputy city prosecutor Kevin McClure, Ewart organized a car wash Sept. 27 in the parking lot of Benny’s Rod and Custom Pizza Cafe, 4219 N.E. St. Johns Road. Several friends helped her hold signs and yell to passing cars to “Support the Pattersons.”
The all-day car wash drew between 30 and 40 cars, many of which belonged to parishioners of Patterson’s church, First Evangelical Church. The church’s pastor had made an announcement to the congregation about the car wash.
Investigators were tipped that the fundraiser might have been a scam after reviewing a taped jail conversation between Cellestine and Ewart. According to the affidavit, Ewart allegedly said “she got around $500 from the car wash … which she was applying toward his bail.”
Police later discovered that church members had donated $365 during the car wash, but that Patterson’s family only received $195. Investigators believe there may be more missing money.
Cellestine remains in the Clark County Jail. His bail was revoked after he was arrested on narcotics and alcohol possession charges after reportedly throwing a Halloween party at his apartment.
He is set to go to trial Feb. 1.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
