Spencer Pell makes a first appearance in Clark County Superior Court in January 2016 on suspicion of first-degree assault. (The Columbian files)
One of two men accused of beating a Vancouver man into a coma that lasted more than a year before he succumbed to his injuries, was sentenced Friday to 7½ years in prison.
Spencer A. Pell, 20, of Vancouver pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to attempted first-degree assault in the deadly attack on 55-year-old Chris Brewster in the Hough neighborhood. Brewster died June 7, 2016, more than a year after the April 2015 beating, in which he suffered head trauma. The prosecution said he never regained consciousness.
An autopsy concluded Brewster died from blunt-force head trauma caused by another person.
The incident began as an argument between Brewster and Pell and his co-defendant, Rodney T. Franck, 24, over a cigarette, court records state.
Franck, formerly of Vancouver, is facing second-degree felony murder and first-degree assault — the murder charge was added after Brewster’s death. His trial is scheduled for June 12.
Pell was not charged with murder and was subpoenaed in May to potentially testify against Franck in his upcoming trial, court records in Franck’s case show.
During Pell’s hearing, Brewster’s daughter, Lela, told the court that nothing has been the same since her dad’s life was taken.
“I miss my dad so much,” she said, later adding that “there’s no amount of time that will make this OK with me.”
Lela Brewster said that all her dad wanted was to walk her down the aisle and be a grandpa, but instead, those things were taken from him. The family had to hold her wedding ceremony in his hospital room, and she now only has memories of him to share with her daughter, she said.
She passed photos of her dad to the judge.
Shortly after 11:30 p.m. April 23, 2015, witnesses near West 21st and Columbia streets saw two men kicking another man who was lying in the road, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
The assailants fled before Vancouver police arrived. However, police later spotted and detained Pell and Franck, based on descriptions provided by the witnesses, the affidavit states. Both men denied being involved in the beating.
Despite Franck reportedly having bruising and cuts to his right eye, police didn’t initially arrest him in connection with the assault, court records said. Instead, he was booked into the Clark County Jail on an unrelated charge, and while in custody, detectives seized his clothing. Blood stains on his clothing were tested and found to be a match to Brewster’s DNA, according to court documents.
Franck also allegedly made self-incriminating statements during a phone call made from the jail Jan. 5, 2016, according to a separate probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
Pell came forward Jan. 26, 2016, for an interview with police.
Both men told police they didn’t recognize Brewster from a photograph and said they were intoxicated that night. But Pell 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.
Pell’s attorney, Jeff Barrar, told the court Wednesday that his client accepts the impact his actions had on Brewster and his family.
“No one can really make this better. He understands that,” Barrar said.
Pell briefly apologized.
Judge Derek Vanderwood told Pell that his choices led to the tragic circumstances and commended Lela Brewster for her strength.
In following the attorneys’ previously agreed-upon sentencing recommendation, Vanderwood handed down a 90-month sentence — near the top of the sentencing range. Pell was given credit for 491 days in custody.
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