Bail was set at $1 million Tuesday, Jan. 24, for a man who police suspect was involved in the shooting death of 22-year-old Jesse Winchester last November.
Andrew Medina, 31, was booked into Whatcom County Jail Monday for investigation of second-degree murder, drug possession and rendering criminal assistance. He had his first appearance in court Tuesday.
Winchester was shot to death Nov. 22 at a Lynden house in what police have called a drug deal gone bad. Medina showed up at the house with brothers Salvador and Oscar Rodriguez, and he likely was in the home when Winchester was shot. The brothers and Medina were driven to the house by Ashley Fischer, who has already pleaded not guilty to the same charges as Medina.
Medina was transferred to Whatcom County Jail from Snohomish County Jail, where he'd been serving time for a parole violation. He also has been indicted in federal court for conspiracy to distribute drugs.
The Rodriguez brothers have yet to be apprehended, but authorities are still searching for them.
"We're working on it like mad," Whatcom County Prosecutor Dave McEachran said.
The brothers were allegedly at the Lynden house to sell drugs to Winchester's father, Jeremiah Winchester, 41. Jeremiah Winchester had told friends that he intended to rob the brothers, according to court documents. The meeting spiraled out of control when guns were drawn and Oscar Rodriguez, who was 15 at the time, shot Jeremiah Winchester in the face. Jesse Winchester was shot when he ran after the brothers and Medina, though it's unclear who is responsible for his death.
Jeremiah Winchester was in the hospital for some time after the shooting. He was booked into jail Friday and made his first appearance in court Monday for two counts of attempted drug possession, first-degree attempted robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Two of Winchester's friends present during the shooting - Gavin Glyzinski and Johnny Arellano - also are scheduled to be charged with attempted drug possession and attempted first-degree robbery.
Jeremiah's father, Glen Winchester, was watching from a remote viewing room as his son made his first appearance in the jail courtroom.
"This whole situation has been a horrible thing to live through," he told Court Commissioner Edwin Simmers.
McEachran described Jeremiah Winchester's criminal history as "rich," with 13 felonies ranging from drug charges to assault. He cited 13 failures to appear for court actions, five probation violation warrants and a failure to appear after a temporary release as his reason for requesting $500,000 bail for Winchester.
Simmers set a $50,000 performance bail, which would have to be paid to the court in cash and would be lost if Winchester missed his court appearances or violated any of the terms of his release.
Glen Winchester told the commissioner that the family didn't have that kind of money. Jeremiah Winchester was still in jail Tuesday.
Winchester and Medina are scheduled to be formally arraigned Feb. 3.
"We're starting to fill in the pieces on this case," McEachran said.
