Bail set at $1 million for Ephrata man

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — An Ephrata man who was convicted of murdering a 13-year-old playmate in 2003 has made his first court appearance for a retrial.

Visiting Judge Jack Burchard of Okanogan County set bail at $1 million Monday for Evan Savoie in Grant County Superior Court.

Savoie was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the death of Craig Sorger, a developmentally disabled boy last seen playing with him in an RV park.

The state Appeals Court last month ordered a new trial for Savoie, now 21, after his attorneys argued that his rights were violated at trial.

Savoie is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

Savoie and a third playmate, Jake Eakin, were 12 at the time of the death. Eakin also was charged but testified against Savoie in a plea deal.