Who killed the Bridge walker?

I was going through my head about some of the murders that have happened in Lewiston and I thought of the bridge walker. Who killed him? does anyone know?

was two teen agers. Sentenced to life. They beat him to death. it was in the Lewiston Morning Tribune, some time before 2003,

It was one guy, not a teenager. Got 15 years for voluntary manslaughter.

From what I understand it was two teenagers. And I do believe if you look up the story in the archives of the tribune you will be able to see that. I never did hear how long of a sentancing they received but I belived they where charged with malicous manslaughter.

The murders of Kristina Nelson,Brandy Miller and Kristin David have not been solved. The same person is believed to be responsible and involved with a missing child, Christina White, and a adult Steven Pearsall. These are cold cases and happened between 1979-1982. Law enforcement needs tips on those cases.

I never said that he killed Kristina Nelson. I just would like some information to find out who did.

Joseph Robinett pleads guilty to manslaughter
Plea bargain lowers charge from second-degree murder

Ann R. Gannon

Friday, June 14, 2002

Joseph O. Robinett, 23, pleaded guilty to the amended charge of voluntary manslaughter before the 2nd District Court of Nez Perce County Thursday morning.

Robinett, of Lapwai, was originally charged with second-degree murder in the severe beating and subsequent death of Craig Stouffer, a man known to many in the area as Bridgewalker. Stouffer died at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston Oct. 5 from injuries suffered in the beating Sept. 19.

The charge of second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Voluntary manslaughter has a minimum of five to seven years and a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Robinett said in court he does not recall the incident of Sept. 19 but that he pleaded guilty based on evidence the state has against him.

His attorney, Scott M. Chapman, told the court Robinett suffered a blackout on the day of the incident because he ingested large quantities of vodka and beer, and someone other than Robinett had injected him with methamphetamines.

Still, Robinett, who is illiterate, stated to Judge Carl B. Kerrick that he understood the charge and that the evidence and documents had been read to him and explained.

He said he believes with the evidence against him the state would be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was the person who beat Stouffer.

Robinett has been incarcerated since his arrest Sept. 19. The judge asked him if he had a problem with alcohol or drugs, and Robinett answered that he doesn't any longer.

However, when Kerrick asked Robinett if he had access to drugs or alcohol while he has been in the Nez Perce County Jail, he replied that he had. But he said he hadn't used any in a couple of months.

Kerrick accepted Robinett's plea of guilty and scheduled sentencing for Aug. 8 at 10 a.m.

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Gannon may be contacted at agannon@ lmtribune.com .

Bridgewalker's killer gets 7 years
Joseph Robinett tells courtroom he's sorry for beating Craig Stouffer to death; victim's family offers forgiveness
Friday, August 9, 2002
Joseph O. Robinett will serve a minimum of seven years in prison for killing Craig Stouffer.
Stouffer, 54, of Lewiston, known as the Bridgewalker, died in October after Robinett, 23, of Lapwai, attacked him from behind and beat him, causing severe brain damage.
"The only thing left to do is forgive this person for that evil act, although he can't yet realize the enormous monstrosity of what he has done," said Stouffer's younger brother, Ken Stouffer Jr. of Portland, Ore. "Revenge would be sweet, of course, but no. An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind."
Stouffer spoke for his family during Thursday's sentencing hearing in 2nd District Court in Lewiston.
"For years I would say, somewhat in defense, or as an affront to those critical of him, that Craig is the best man that I have ever known.
"Now today, after his death, I know that to be the truth of the matter for me."
Robinett had been charged with second-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of an agreement with prosecutors.
Ken Stouffer suggested he was not pleased with the agreement, and asked the court to give Robinett a lengthy sentence.
'This person needs to be removed from society until after he is a changed person," he said. "For all our sakes."
When asked for a statement, Robinett, dressed in his black and white jail jumpsuit, turned away from the judge and addressed the audience.
There were more than 20 people in the courtroom, Stouffer's friends and family on one side, Robinett's friends and family on the other.
"I know you guys are hurting right now. I know my family is hurting right now," Robinett said, fighting back tears.
"I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I'm sorry."
Judge Carl Kerrick said he considered Robinett's history, which he described as dysfunctional from the beginning, in his sentence.
The judge gave Robinett the maximum sentence he could under the plea agreement -- a minimum of seven years and a maximum of 15 years.
After the hearing, members of Robinett's family shook Ken Stouffer's hand, offering their condolences.
"I know that they're suffering," Stouffer said. "I think it will take (Joseph Robinett) a long time to realize what he's done."
Al McClaren, a friend of Craig Stouffer who wants to place a statue of the Bridgewalker near the Interstate Bridge, was also in the courtroom.
"You gotta take what they're giving," he said of Robinett's sentence.
After the hearing, Dorothy Robinett, 78, said she was sad the whole incident ever happened, but held out hope for her grandson.
"I think he'll improve, because they're gonna make him go to school(in prison)," she said.
Joseph Robinett's youngest sister, Norma, 16, nodded in agreement.
Their father, Richard R. Robinett, was sentenced to prison in June for vehicular manslaughter in a car crash that killed their uncle in May 2001.
Now Norma lives with her older sister Patricia, who also was injured in the crash.
But Norma said it wasn't a difficult childhood or a rough family life that led her brother to prison; it was his abuse of alcohol.
"I think he's gonna improve, and he'll be a better person when he gets out."
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Wilson may be contacted at awilson@lmtribune.com

Mabell wrote:

The murders of Kristina Nelson,Brandy Miller and Kristin David have not been solved. The same person is believed to be responsible and involved with a missing child, Christina White, and a adult Steven Pearsall. These are cold cases and happened between 1979-1982. Law enforcement needs tips on those cases.

The Kristin David murder was an exact carbon copy of a murder in Bend, Oregon during the same time frame, early to mid 80's. Only in that murder some pieces of evidence were never found. Both had a river involved and both are cold cases.

The Kristin David murder was an exact carbon copy of a murder in Bend, Oregon during the same time frame, early to mid 80's. Only in that murder some pieces of evidence were never found. Both had a river involved and both are cold cases.

mayann wrote:

<quoted text>
The Kristin David murder was an exact carbon copy of a murder in Bend, Oregon during the same time frame, early to mid 80's. Only in that murder some pieces of evidence were never found. Both had a river involved and both are cold cases.

Do you have a name of the victim in the Bend,Oregon case?

Sooner Magic wrote:

<quoted text>
Do you have a name of the victim in the Bend,Oregon case?

Mary Jo Templeton

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