Police: Dispute over dead kitten led to man's beating death

By Associated Press

Summary

Deputies arrested two men and two teenagers from Coulee City and Soap Lake Wednesday and charged them with second-degree murder in the death of Jeff A. Smith, 49.

Story Published: Nov 7, 2008 at 9:45 AM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 5:17 AM PDT

MOSES LAKE, Wash. (AP) - Authorites in Grant County say a dispute over a dead kitten led to the beating death of a man.

Deputies arrested two men and two teenagers from Coulee City and Soap Lake Wednesday and charged them with second-degree murder in the death of Jeff A. Smith, 49. He was found dead in his home Oct. 12.

Officials believe the four severely beat Smith on Oct. 10 after learning he'd killed a kitten one had given to him the previous day. Grant County Undersheriff John Turley said Smith was found dead in his bed two days after the assault, likely the result of head trauma.