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Ault Sentenced For Murder Of Richard Purdy

Gary B. Ault, convicted of premeditated murder in the death of Richard Purdy, received a life sentence without parole. The verdict, reached after extensive investigation and prosecution, marks the severity of Ault’s actions and the community’s loss.

On May 8th, Gary B. Ault was sentenced to Life without the Possibility of Parole after being found guilty of Aggravated Premeditated Murder 1st Degree, Theft of a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree in connection with the premeditated murder of Richard Purdy. 

The murder of 83-year-old Richard Purdy happened on December 26th, 2022, just south of Deer Park city limits.  The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Major Crime Detectives announced the identification and charging of 37-year-old Gary B. Ault with Murder 1st Degree and Burglary 1st Degree in connection with the death on January 10th, 2023. 

Following an investigation, detectives linked Ault to the crime through DNA evidence recovered at the scene, which the Washington State Crime Lab processed. Ault was already in custody at the Spokane County Jail on unrelated charges brought by the Spokane Police Department, including Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Assault 3rd Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree, with a bond set at $175,000. Ault has a history of prior convictions, including offenses such as Burglary, Theft, Identity Theft, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, and Escape.

The trial and sentencing occurred in Spokane County Superior Court, with Superior Court Judge R. Anderson presiding over the case. Spokane County Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys D. Nagy and G. Kristianson handled the prosecution. The Spokane County Major Crimes Unit conducted the investigation, with Major Crimes Detective S. Bonney as the lead investigator.

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