One year later: Kristin Grindley hit-run case may end Friday

The suspect charged with a hit-and-run crime that left a woman near dead on Pullman-Albion Road less than a year ago reached a preliminary plea agreement with Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy this week.

Richard Pasma was the live-in boyfriend of Kristin Grindley, who was found Nov. 11, 2009, with a broken shoulder, ankle and nose as well as a skull fracture outside of Pullman. Police believe that the night before Grindley was found, she rode in Pasma's truck and was either pushed or fell from the vehicle, at which point Pasma did not stop to help her, but left her bleeding on the pavement.

Pasma plead not guilty to a felony charge of hit-and-run Aug. 21 and was scheduled to start a jury trial Nov. 15. Discussions between Tracy and Pasma's attorney have led to the possibility of a plea Friday afternoon. Because Pasma has not yet plead, Tracy refused to discuss the particulars of the plea bargain.

The charge of hit-and-run carries a maximum jail sentence of five years and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Because Pasma has no criminal background, he would likely be sentenced to nine months in a state institution if found guilty in a trial.

Grindley's injuries, including memory loss of the last five years, are so severe a longer term in jail would be warranted, Tracy said.

However, a brief written by Pasma's attorney, Tim Esser, said, "The defense asserts that the only one responsible for Kristen Grindley's injuries is Kristen Grindley; that in an obsessive and intoxicated moment, she climbed into the back of Pasma's pickup and somehow managed to fall out - without his knowledge."

As evidence, Esser pointed to a handwritten letter from Grindley to Pasma before the accident, in which Grindley swore to "fix" her relationship with Pasma by not drinking or fighting with him.

"I know I have a problem," Grindley wrote. "It mainly stems from my drinking, but sometimes when I'm sober I can get clingy and be stubborn."

Esser wrote that it is Grindley's alcoholism and anger that lead her to climb into Pasma's truck. In her letter, Grindley signed a list of "problems" she intended to fix, including her drinking, and yelling at Pasma.

Grindley and Pasma had been fighting about house guests the night before Grindley was found, according to Esser's brief.

Pasma expected his father to visit during Washington State University's Dad's Weekend, but Grindley wanted her sister to visit at the same time. Esser wrote that Grindley was unable to "drop" the argument, which may have lead her to jump into Pasma's truck that night.

Sarah Mason can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 234, or by e-mail to smason@dnews.com.