EPHRATA, Wash. (AP) — An Ephrata man convicted as a teenager of murdering a playmate in 2003 is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Grant County Superior Court.
Evan Savoie had been sentenced to 26 years in prison for the death of 13-year-old Craig Sorger, but the state Appeals Court last month ordered a new trial.
Savoie’s lawyers argued that his right to a public trial was violated when the trial court judge closed the courtroom to hear arguments on a motion, and the Appeals Court agreed.
Sorger was last seen playing with Savoie and another playmate, Jake Eakin, at a recreational vehicle park. His body was found with dozens of stab wounds.
Savoie and Eakin were 12 at the time. Eakin ultimately testified against Savoie in a plea deal.