Plea of not guilty entered for Webb

Published 3:18 pm Tuesday, October 1, 2002

PENDLETON – A judge entered a plea of not guilty for Michael Lewis Webb Monday after the accused murderer’s attorneys said they weren’t ready to enter a plea, and needed more time for investigation.

Webb’s attorneys also asked the prosecution to provide it with more evidence.

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Umatilla County District Attorney Chris Brauer argued discovery was largely complete, and ample for entering a plea.

Webb, 22, and co-defendant Cody Watson, 19, are accused of killing a Pendleton family of four with a mobile home fire in July.

They are each charged with 10 counts of aggravated murder, first-degree arson and first-degree burglary.

They could face the death penalty if convicted.

Webb was scheduled for his next hearing Nov. 20. All discovery must be made by then, and the attorneys must notify the court about any pre-trial motions they intend to file.

Defense attorney Mark Rader said he provided the Umatilla County District Attorneys Office with a list of evidence he needed.

“These items may or may not be important. We don’t know what they’ll say,” Rader said.

Bob Browning, his wife Debbie Barnett, and their daughters, Dawn Browning, 4, and Stephanie Browning, 3, were killed by smoke inhalation when their mobile home was set ablaze about 2:30 a.m. July 29.

Webb and Watson also lived in River View Terrace Mobile Home Park.

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