Hearing postponed in Hope killing

SANDPOINT — An arraignment hearing was postponed Monday in the case of a Bonner County woman charged with second-degree murder.

Bonner County Chief Public Defender Janet Whitney declined on Tuesday to comment on the continuance in Linda Carol Provo-Buxton’s case. Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall referred inquiries on the postponement to the defense, but added that continuances are not uncommon.

Provo-Buxton is scheduled to enter a plea on Jan. 3, 2017. She is being held at the Bonner County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Provo-Buxton, 54, was ordered earlier this month to stand trial for killing Jeffrey Lester Newton at their home on West Spring Creek Road near Hope on Oct. 15. Newton, 57, was found dead on a couch in the home.

Newton died of blunt-force trauma to the head, according to investigators.

Provo-Buxton attempted to turn herself in at the sheriff’s office the following day, but her daughter testified at a preliminary hearing that she was turned away from the facility and told to call Bonner Dispatch to report the incident. Sheriff Daryl Wheeler later arrested her near the Schweitzer Sand Creek Conoco off U.S. Highway 95 in Ponderay.

Marshall argued during the hearing that Newton’s killing was an unjustified act of vengeance, possibly as a result of Provo-Buxton being told to leave the premises. Provo-Buxton did not testify during the preliminary hearing, although her daughter told the court that Newton had a lengthy history of mentally and physically abusing her mother.

At the time of his killing, Newton was awaiting trial for domestic battery against Provo-Buxton, who was the protected party in an accompanying no-contact order.

But Judge Justin Julian said the physical evidence worked against an argument of self-defense. There was no evidence of a struggle which precipitated the killing and Newton was found lying on his back and partially undressed, indicating he may have been asleep when set upon.

It remains unclear if the murder weapon has been located. Detectives testified that they recovered numerous items from the home which could have been used to bludgeon Newton, although lab testing was pending to determine if they had been used in the slaying.

Marshall did not rule out the possibility of plea negotiations.

“We will be working diligently to find a resolution acceptable to both sides, but if that doesn’t happen we will prepare for trial,” said Marshall.