Rodney Franck appears Friday in Clark County Superior Court on a charge of second-degree murder. Franck, and a co-defendant, allegedly assaulted a man in April 2015, leaving the victim in a coma for more than a year. The victim, 55-year-old Chris Brewster, died June 7. (Natalie Behring/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
One of two men accused of beating a man during an argument over a cigarette, leaving the victim in a coma for more than a year, is now charged with murder. The victim, 55-year-old Chris Brewster, died June 7.
Rodney T. Franck, 23, formerly of Vancouver, was in Clark County Superior Court on Friday morning to face an amended charge of second-degree murder. Franck initially faced a charge of first-degree assault in connection with the April 2015 attack in the Hough neighborhood. Brewster suffered major head trauma and never regained consciousness, court records state.
A co-defendant, 19-year-old Spencer A. Pell of Vancouver, is not being charged with murder. He is charged with first-degree assault. According to court files, Pell is set to testify against Franck.
Shortly after 11:30 p.m. April 23, 2015, witnesses near West 21st and Columbia streets reported seeing two men kicking another man who was lying in the street, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.
Vancouver police responded, but the suspects had already fled. Police later spotted and detained Franck and Pell, based on descriptions given by witnesses, the affidavit said. Both men denied being involved.
Even though Franck reportedly had bruising and cuts to his right eye, police didn’t initially arrest him on suspicion of the assault, court records state.
Instead, he was booked into the Clark County Jail on an unrelated charge, and while in custody, detectives seized his clothing. Blood stains found on the clothing were tested and were found to match Brewster’s DNA, court records show.
Franck also made self-incriminating statements during a phone call made from the jail on Jan. 5,, according to a separate probable cause affidavit.
The co-defendant, Pell, then came forward Jan. 26 for an interview with police.
Both Pell and Franck told police they didn’t recognize Brewster from a photograph and said they were both intoxicated that night. However, Pell allegedly told police he argued with Brewster over a cigarette and then Brewster punched him. Pell hit him back, he said, but then he “blacked out.” He said he doesn’t remember kicking Brewster, the affidavit states.
An autopsy conducted June 8 found Brewster died from blunt-force head trauma caused by another person.
At Friday’s hearing, Judge Robert Lewis appointed attorney Bob Yoseph to represent Franck.
Franck and Pell were scheduled to stand trial Monday on the assault charge; it has now been set over to Aug. 9.
Lewis also increased Franck’s bail from $85,000 to $150,000. Franck, who had previously posted bond, was taken back into custody.
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