Youth confesses to role in murder; 14-year sentence surprises courtroom

EPHRATA — For more than two years, the murder of 13-year-old Craig Sorger lingered as a provocative mystery.

Two 12-year-old boys charged with the killing were the state's youngest murder defendants tried as adults since 1931. They maintained their innocence during 26 months in jail while awaiting trial.

The mystery ended yesterday in a packed courtroom.

Jake Lee Eakin, 14, saying his conscience was stained by his own lies, gave a dramatic confession in Grant County Superior Court as he pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to the killing.

In a confession recited by his lawyer, Eakin described watching his former fishing buddy, Evan Savoie, drop a rock on Sorger's head, then standing by as Savoie repeatedly stabbed Sorger. After being taunted by Savoie, Eakin said, he picked up a stick and pummeled Sorger until it broke. Then he picked up another stick and continued the beating.

Grant County prosecutors said they found that Eakin's confession matched the physical evidence of the killing. As part of Eakin's plea, Grant County Prosecutor John Knodell agreed to ask for an exceptionally low eight-year sentence, less than the standard-range penalty of between 10 and 18 years. The deal would have kept Eakin solely in juvenile facilities.

But Grant County Superior Court Judge Ken Jorgensen ignored that recommendation, instead sentencing Eakin to more than 14 years. Eakin's family gasped, "Oh, no," as Jorgensen ruled from the bench. Under the sentence, Eakin will be transferred to an adult prison at age 18.

Jorgensen said Eakin is a lot smarter than his IQ, which was tested to be 93, would indicate, and his age and competency level are not mitigating factors.

"There's been a lot of discussion about the maturity of the boys involved," Jorgensen said. "By 12, you understand what it means to hurt, and to hurt someone. So that doesn't enter into a court's thinking at all."

Tears flow

During the hearing, Eakin, a diminutive 5-foot-1 and 98 pounds, apologized as Sorger's mother and father sobbed. One row behind them, Eakin's mother also broke down. She had been convinced that her son was wrongly charged until the hearing.

"I just wish that I could do something to fill in the missing hole in your family, but I made a mistake that made that hole," Eakin said, with little emotion. "I didn't want your family to wonder any longer. I want you to know the truth ... I'm sorry, Mrs. Sorger. I'm sorry, Mr. Sorger."

After the hearing, Michele Shaw, Eakin's lawyer, said the Grant County prosecutor had agreed to jointly ask Jorgensen to reconsider the sentence. In a court filing, she argued that Eakin's learning disabilities and physical and emotional immaturity make him a good candidate for juvenile rehabilitation.

"The court focused on whether Jake knew right from wrong, and not the fact that Craig was dead when Jake picked up the stick," Shaw said. "I respectfully disagree with the court's opinion."

Deputy prosecutor Ed Owens declined to talk after the hearing. "I have another trial to think about," he said.

Eakin is likely to be a primary witness when Savoie goes to trial May 16. Savoie's attorney, who watched the hearing, left without talking to reporters.

Sorger's mother, Lisa Sorger, also declined to talk. "It's not over yet. It's just the beginning," she said.

Craig was her oldest boy, a special-education student who was slight in stature, with blond hair. Craig jumped at the chance to go play in the park that day with Savoie and Eakin, two more popular boys.

Sorger's murder in Oasis Park on Feb. 15, 2003, divided the community here. Eakin and Savoie were the last to see Sorger alive, and were the sole suspects after their stories shifted under questioning by Ephrata police.

Savoie's clothes were soaked with Sorger's blood, and police later found the murder weapon, a folding pocket knife, in the park's pond.

But the boys appeared to be unlikely killers. Neither had a criminal history or mental illness. The Grant County judge who ordered them tried as adults dismissed recommendations from psychologists hired by the defense and prosecution to keep the boys in juvenile court.

The state Supreme Court in February declined to hear the case — or to revisit state laws allowing juveniles to be tried as adults.

Killing planned?

Eakin's confession casts the slaying in a new light. In a series of interviews with prosecutors over the past week, Eakin said Savoie planned to kill Sorger and the owner of a trailer court near the park that day; the second part of the plan was not carried out.

"I'm going to do it today, I'm going to do it now," Savoie told Eakin, according to the confession.

Sorger tried at least twice to run from his attackers. "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you doing this to me?" he cried, according to the confession.

After goading him into bludgeoning Sorger with the taunt of "faggot," Eakin said, a blood-soaked Savoie shook his hand and told him to shut up about what they had just done.

Until yesterday, Eakin's family was so convinced of his innocence that they campaigned against the prosecution on a Web site for juvenile murder defendants.

"It's been an absolute shock to everybody," said Eakin's grandmother, Phyllis LaMear. "My grandson has never lied to me."

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, cited the case and scientific research on juvenile brain development in pushing through a bill in this year's legislative session that would waive mandatory minimum sentences for juveniles charged with serious adult crimes. It passed both houses unanimously, and is awaiting action by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Jonathan Martin: 206-464-2605 or jmartin@seattletimes.com