7 Charged In Gambling Probe

SPOKANE - Seven people, including a Spokane lawyer, have been charged in an illegal gambling investigation, a Spokane prosecutor said.

Attorney Julie Twyford and six others were charged yesterday in Superior Court, Deputy Prosecutor Claude Montecucco said.

Twyford was one of six people arrested in February 1993 in a raid at a southeast Spokane home where state Gambling Commission agents said an illegal card game was going on.

Illegal percentage

Card games are illegal at private residences in this state if the "house" takes a percentage of the winnings.

After the raid, investigators suggested that several prominent people from Spokane could be involved in the probe. Twyford was the only well-known person charged.

Reo C. Cutler, who rented the house that was raided, also was charged with gambling along with five others: David M. Bailey, 41, Spokane; Michael R. Barthole, 36; Douglas E. Roche, 33; John William Sarber, 56; and Tom K. Suwanmaneedang, 45, all of the Spokane area.

Former candidate for judge

Twyford, 38, ran unsuccessfully for a Spokane County District Court judge's seat in 1990.

She also was the public defender for Kevin Coe, convicted in the city's South Hill serial-rapist case in 1981.

Spokane County Prosecutor Donald Brockett yesterday said he could provide no additional information about the case.

No court dates have been set, Montecucco said.