Prisoner dies in jail, another airlifted

Spokane woman charged with homicide

NEWPORT – One female prisoner was airlifted to a Spokane hospital and another female prisoner died in the Pend Oreille County Jail Monday, Jan. 27.

Natalie J. Lemery, 32, of Spokane was charged with introducing a controlled substance into a jail facility and controlled substance homicide in connection with the death, according to a news release from the Newport Police Department, which is investigating the death. District Court Judge Robin McCroskey set bail at $500,000 after finding probable cause Tuesday morning, Jan. 28. Lemery asked for a lower bail, but McCroskey referenced multiple previous warrants and said that based on the allegations, Lemery was a danger to the community.

Lemery had been picked up in Elk on a warrant for failure to appear and was booked Monday.

Krisstarah Tianna Bennett, 33, was pronounced dead Monday at about 6:49 p.m., according to a probable cause affidavit read aloud in court and a news release from the Newport Police Department.

Earlier in the day Michele Leigh Springsteen had been transported by air ambulance about 12:53 p.m. to Spokane’s Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center after falling and striking her head on a metal stool. She was awake but not responsive after falling, according to the probable cause statement read in court.

What Lemery was suspected of possessing wasn’t clear. A search warrant was sought and granted by McCroskey for a physical search of Lemery that took place at the Newport Hospital. Nothing was found during that search.

Lemery was in a cell with three others, including Springsteen and Bennett, along with another prisoner. That prisoner told investigators that she thought Lemery had smuggled drugs into the jail in her vagina.

Jail authorities found plastic bags of white powder in two locations in the jail, one in a bathroom and one in a cell.

Defense attorney Brett Billingsley said he couldn’t represent Lemery because he had represented others involved. He recommended Anna K. Norvedt represent Lemery.

Lemerey’s arraignment was set for Thursday, Feb. 6.