Thurlow wants verdict voided

SANDPOINT — Kenneth Eugene Thurlow is mounting an effort to have his murder conviction overturned.

Linda Payne, Thurlow's court-appointed defense attorney, filed a motion Tuesday calling for the court to set aside the Bonner County jury's verdict.

Payne alleges in the filing that Thurlow's federal and state constitutional rights were violated and seeks a hearing in 1st District Court. Documents detailing Payne's argument have not been filed and a hearing date has not been set yet.

A jury of nine women and three men convicted Thurlow of first-degree murder on Sept. 27, following an eight-day trial.

Thurlow, 46, was accused of either shooting Christopher Elliott West to death or helping Christopher Alan Lewers carry out the Aug. 21, 2005 killing.

Thurlow took the stand in his own defense and told the jury Lewers, 23, shot West with a .410-gauge shotgun following a scuffle at Evergreen Towing. Lewers has allegedly made statements implicating Thurlow as West's killer.

Lewers is awaiting trial and Thurlow is being held without bail while a sentencing hearing is pending.