Spokane's Dark Chapters Across Five Decades | Spokane News

In 1976, Spokane shook with terror as a serial attacker struck again—this time raping and robbing a 74-year-old woman, part of a chilling 13-case pattern that left the city on edge. Meanwhile, half a century earlier in 1926, a courtroom buzzed with drama as Phineas Saffron stood trial for shooting banker R. Lewis Rutter, claiming temporary insanity after foreclosure ruined his business. Both crimes reveal Spokane’s long-standing struggle with violence, justice, and fear across generations. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/sep/15/this-day-in-history-the-latest-in-a-string-of-sexu/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/125891868b1b2ecb Report issues to [email protected].