SPOKANE, Wash. — Two men were found guilty on several charges following a double homicide on the Colville Reservation two years ago.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of Washington, court documents revealed 24-year-old Zachary Holt and 35-year-old Dezmonique D. Tenzsley went on a six-week crime spree in September 2022, where they committed home invasions and a robbery in North Idaho before shooting and killing two people in October 2022 in Keller, Washington.
Around 30 minutes before the killings, court documents say both Holt and Tenzsley were driving on a dirt road in Keller when Holt was speeding and swerved to miss a school bus, and as a result, rolled his vehicle over into a ditch. Holt's brother, Curry Pinkham, gave Holt and Tenzsley a ride, moving several firearms and ammunition into Pinkham's car.
The three then arrived at the home of a known drug dealer, breaking into the home and demanding for the owner's money and property before shots were fired.
The three then drove toward Nespelem, firing shots toward law enforcement in a car chase, striking one of them in the forearm.
Holt and Tenzsley were found guilty on all 17 counts, with charges including felony murder in Indian Country and attempted murder of a federal officer.
"My heart goes out to the officers who very bravely responded and attempted to apprehend these defendants and were one of whom was shot in the process," Richard Baker, first assistant United States Attorney, said.
Holt and Tenzsley are expected to be sentenced in February.
“The victims in this case, Gale and Jeremy Neal, were senselessly and brutally murdered by two men on a violent crime spree. Nothing can ever replace what the Neals’ family and loved ones have lost. My office is deeply committed to promoting public safety on Native American Reservations and addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, and this verdict demonstrates that those who commit violence on Tribal lands will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “I am grateful for the attorneys in my office, especially First Assistant United States Attorney Richard Barker and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Ellis who led this significant prosecution, as well as the investigators and agents who worked tirelessly for countless hours to bring justice for the victims in this case.”