Doubt cast on teenager's murder confession

A teen's written confession from a state juvenile prison has added a surprising twist to a high-profile murder in Grant County. But his attorney and mother consider it a false confession made under the duress of prison life.

In a letter sent to his co-defendant's mother, Jake Eakin wrote that he lied on the stand in April when he accused her son, Evan Savoie, of killing a classmate in an Ephrata park in 2003.

"I killed Craig Sorger, not Evan," Eakin wrote from the Green Hill Training School, a state juvenile prison in Chehalis. "I made a story that pointed to Evan, hopeing [sic] I could somehow trick them into thinking I didn't do anything ... ."

The letter is authentic, but it is also a false confession, said Eakin's lawyer, Seattle attorney Michele Shaw. It is Eakin's immature attempt to convince fellow juvenile prison inmates that he is not a "snitch," she said.

"He's been extremely worried and concerned for his safety since he testified," Shaw said. She said when she talked with him on Friday, "the first thing he said to me is, 'Now I'm not a snitch.' "

Grant County Prosecutor John Knodell said he will look into the authenticity of the letter, which was filed as part of a request by Savoie's lawyers for a new trial.

But he said he stands by the conviction of Savoie and did not sound convinced of Eakin's veracity.

"It certainly appears to me, based on the known facts, the physical evidence that we have, I think the information that is in the letter is not accurate," Knodell said.

Savoie's attorney, C.E. "Monty" Hormel, did not return a phone call about the letter.

Sorger, a 13-year-old boy with learning disabilities, was found bludgeoned and stabbed to death in an Ephrata park in February 2003, after leaving his home to play tag with Eakin and Savoie.

Eakin pleaded guilty in April 2005 as an accomplice and got a 14-year sentence on the condition he testify against Savoie. He did, in traumatic detail, and Savoie was convicted in April. He is serving 26 years.

After the conviction, Savoie also was sent to the Green Hill prison, heightening Eakin's concern for his safety, Shaw said.

Eakin had to be put in an isolation cell after other inmates taunted him, she said.

"Jake thought the only consequence of writing this letter was that he would no longer be a 'snitch,' " Shaw said. "He is incredibly immature. He's operating on the maturity level of a 10-year-old."

Savoie and Eakin, both 15, are the youngest people convicted of murder as adults in Washington since 1931. Their case led the Legislature to change sentencing laws for some juveniles convicted as adults.

In his letter, received by Savoie's mother July 16, Eakin said he killed Sorger then switched clothes with Savoie.

Lab tests found traces of Sorger's blood on Savoie's shirt.

But that story does not make sense, said Tammy Vickery, Eakin's mother. Eakin wore a child's size 10 "slim," and Savoie wore a size 14 "husky," she said.

"There's no way they could have changed clothes," she said. "I think Jake feels bad about testifying against Evan, and is now trying to change the story."

Savoie's mother, Holly Parent, concedes the clothes-changing story is false; Savoie returned from the park in the same clothes.

But she said Knodell should investigate Eakin's new story with as much vigor as police investigated her son.

"The prosecutor believed [Jake] through my son's trial... . So the prosecutor should believe him now," Parent said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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