Turning a Blind-Eye to Justice

Okanogan County Prosecutor Sloan’s
Mission to Convict At All Cost

By Edward Snook & Doug Parris
Investigative Reporters

Karl Sloan

James Faire

Okanogan County, WA – Facts are pesky little things – especially when they go against what a prosecutor would like to maintain as the truth when seeking a conviction. Some, like Okanogan County’s elected prosecutor, Karl Sloan, discard readily available facts – like those the US~Observer provided his office – for more prosecution-friendly investigative speculation and distortion – with which he was provided by his brother, Kreg Sloan, chief case Detective for the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Department. As of October 6, 2015, Sloan and Sloan, together, have knowingly and intentionally kept a factually innocent James Faire locked in the Okanogan County Jail for nearly four long months. Sloan and Sloan have more than turned a blind-eye to the absolute proof that Faire and Angela Nobilis are completely innocent of the criminal charges filed against them on June 19, 2015. Moreover, each has overtly skirted the law as it affects their duties.

The Absurd and False Charge of Murder

George Abrantes

In what could only be described as an assault on James and Angela, James (with Angela) attempted to flee in their truck from a physical confrontation brought on by George Abrantes, a madman wielding a weighted chain.

Abrantes’ Black Lock & Chain Weapon and damage his attack did.

Prosecutor Sloan holds conclusive photographic proof of this assault in evidence but has ignored it. A point of interest is that had James Faire really wanted to kill anyone, he could have easily used the pistol he pulled to temporarily keep Abrantes, and others, at bay when he was first confronted and outside of his vehicle, so that he could get back inside the truck and leave. Instead, Faire showed restraint and was obviously only interested in getting away from this violent individual and his fellow instigators/conspirators. Sloan holds proof, in the conspirators’ own statements (contained in police reports), of the conspiracy to entrap and falsely accuse James and Angela. The group of attackers surrounded them, and Abrantes lashed the chain against the truck and windows, doing extensive body damage to the truck and breaking glass. As a direct result of Abrantes’ assault and perceived threat to his own life and that of his soul mate, James accidentally and unknowingly ran over Debra Long (who was also on the attack) with his truck, killing her. James’ truck also struck Abrantes (who James was turning to avoid, but Abrantes had stepped back toward the truck as he continued to smash it with his chain).

If you were blocked in by a group of out of control people would you plow forward through them to get away, or would you try to back up and move forward, “turning your steering wheel sharply to the right,” trying to avoid everyone while still trying to get away? If you were interested in killing, you’d just plow forward (or use the gun you had available), and this simply wasn’t the case with James Faire. What happened was an unfortunate accident, resulting from an act of absolute self-defense. It was brought on by the premeditated actions of the conspirators, not the frightened pair who were simply trying to get away from the violence being wrought against them.

A majority of the facts in this case were outlined in two articles published in the last edition of the US~Observer. One titled, “Escaped with Their Lives, Then Charged with Murder –The James Faire Story.” The other, “The Conspiracy to Frame James Faire –The Power of ‘Trust’.” Both relate the story of a conspiracy to assault, and/or entrap, or murder James and Angela after a common friend of theirs had died.

Sheriff Rogers

But, all of this evidence is being ignored, and James Faire is still sitting in jail. Why? Is it because Prosecutor Sloan is covering for his detective brother’s incompetent investigation, which led to the murder charges to begin with? Or, is it that he really believes the statements of a group who committed crimes and conspired to bear false witness against the real victims, James and Angela? Or, and most likely, given the fact that Okanogan Sheriff Frank Rogers went on KREM television (to all citizens of Okanogan County) immediately after the incident, claiming that James and Angela were squatters, thieves and basically murderers, the evidence Detective Kreg Sloan “gathered” had to prove that theory out? Or could it be as simple as Prosecutor Karl Sloan covering for both the Sheriff and his bother, due to the fact that they all work together in the conviction business?

Whatever scenario or combination of them is applicable, justice is not being done, and the citizens of Okanogan County should be deeply concerned as Prosecutor Sloan is rapidly proving the many accusations we have received against him to be true. One caller stated, “They have their own brand of injustice in Okanogan County.” Another stated, “[prosecutor] Sloan is protecting his brother’s [Detective Kreg Sloan] incompetent investigation. They have done this numerous times in the past.” And yet another stated, “Faire will never get a fair trial up there. His public defenders have far too many cases – they will never give this man the proper legal assistance.”

The deceptions of the Sloan/Sloan investigation/prosecution are too numerous to fully list. Here are some key facts:

Richard Finegold

• When the sheepish Richard Finegold (the “property owner”) was interviewed on June 17, the investigation allowed other proven conspirators to literally put words in Finegold’s mouth, setting up James and Angela as squatters, engaged in trespass.

• The entire case and investigation are based on false “trespassing” and theft allegations. The day after the gang’s assault, however, a “remorseful” Richard Finegold admitted, in writing, that his parroted statement (claiming James had no permission to be on the property) was false, and he included documented proof that it was false, yet the investigation and prosecution has totally ignored it, by keeping Faire incarcerated.

• Richard Finegold, aided by several of his cohorts, over the course of their collective collaboration, collected, seized, embezzled, or stole the personal property of at least seven separate parties (including James and Angela), from items such as furniture he liked, to vehicles. The personal property is reportedly worth more than fifty thousand dollars. To date, Sloan and Sloan have engaged in de facto collusion with Finegold to allow him to keep it, in open violation of RCW 7.69.030

• When James and Angela’s computers were magically “found” in Richard Finegold’s car, the investigation seized them, but did not charge Richard with the theft.

Ruth Brooks

• Investigators failed to examine a cell phone belonging to one “witness” – Ruth Brooks –that had been used to make a video recording of the assault against James and Angela. Even when it was discovered that another witness knew about the recording AND knew that Ruth Brooks had withheld that she had been recording – she was not charged for withholding evidence and no warrant was obtained to search the phone.

• Case investigator Sloan showed no interest in the only witness to the assault who was not a participant, neither a personal friend of the conspirators, nor the defendants. He was ignored the day of the incident. He was even ignored after phoning in a week later to offer testimony, and when he finally showed up the day of the arraignment and walked into the sheriff’s office to offer the most complete and unbiased view of the events, KREG SLOAN LIED ABOUT HIS TESTIMONY ON THE RECORD.

Right to Counsel

Way back in June 2015, Okanogan County public defender Nick Blount was appointed to represent James Faire and Melissa MacDougall was appointed to Angela Nobilis. On August 18, 2015 Blount withdrew as James’ counsel and Michael Prince and Myles Johnson took over acting as public defenders for Faire – I should stress the word “acting” because, according to Faire, neither one of them got his side of the story or spoke with him about his case before he finally fired Prince on October 12, 2015. It is simply and factually legal malpractice and complete ineffective assistance of counsel for any attorney to fail to work closely with a client who is charged with murder – as serious a charge as there is. Subsequent to firing Prince in open court, Kelly Seago, a former Illinois attorney, was appointed to represent James. One can only wonder how much evidence has been lost or become unavailable during the months that James Faire has basically been “denied legal representation”.

We are fully aware that Faire has a competent investigator working his case, however, his attorneys have an absolute obligation to vigorously pursue his defense (with his involvement) and they have not done so…!

The “jury” is still out regarding Angela’s court-appointed attorney, Melissa MacDougall. She has communicated with her client and we are aware that she has an investigator working the case. At the end of the day, all attorneys who have been appointed to represent James and Angela will have their efforts or lack thereof presented to the public.

The US~Observer has been informed that Faire’s family and supporters are working to raise the funds to hire an attorney who will provide effective counsel for at least James.

As for Prosecutor Sloan, perhaps the public deserves to have a new publicly elected prosecutor, one that is interested in facts and justice, not just convictions. And, Prosecutor Sloan can rest assured that the US~Observer will be right there for the remainder of his tenure in public office holding his feet to the proverbial fire, showing the public just how far from justice this man strays.

Prosecutor Karl Sloan’s legacy is beginning to read like that of Durham County, North Carolina District Attorney Mike Nifong. Nifong’s reputation is now infamous because of his attempted false prosecution of the Duke University lacrosse team members back in 2006. Nifong attempted to prosecute on false and manufactured rape charges, while Sloan is attempting to prosecute James Faire on a false and manufactured murder charge. At this point in time the only difference between Nifong and Sloan is the fact that Nifong was disbarred and Sloan remains a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.

Editor’s Note: Anyone with information regarding Prosecutor Karl Sloan, his brother, Detective Kreg Sloan or anyone else involved in this case is urged to contact Edward Snook at 541-474-7885 or by email to editor@usobserver.com. Be responsible – help us pursue justice – help us hold out of control prosecutors and police officers accountable.