Cheney, Airway Heights sued

CHENEY – The cities of Cheney and Airway Heights are the recipients of two separate lawsuits totaling $20 million that claim a court commissioner used by both municipalities is not capable of rendering a verdict against a defendant because she lacks a law degree.

Spokane attorney Kevin Roberts filed the tort claim — $5 million against Airway Heights and $15 million against Cheney — after Airway Heights Court Commissioner Terri Cooper sentenced his client, Shonto Pete, to 90 days in jail in a court case last week.

In the complaint filed in Spokane Superior Court on Oct. 10, the plaintiffs list...