Arrests made in connection with Kellogg man's death

KELLOGG –– Two men were arrested on Tuesday in connection to the death of a Kellogg man this past weekend. 

August Mota, 33, and Martin Duncan, 42, both from California, have been charged with voluntary manslaughter for their parts in the death of 28-year-old Reed Norris. 

According to court documents, Norris died following a fight with both men where he had been struck in the side of his head. 

During their first appearances in court on Wednesday afternoon, Shoshone County Prosecutor Ben Allen argued that because neither man had ties to the community and because both Mota and Duncan have lengthy criminal histories, their bonds be set at $50,000 for Duncan and $100,000 for Mota. Magistrate Judge Keisha Oxendine concurred with Allen’s concerns but chose to increase those amounts to $100,000 and $150,000 respectively. 

Each man faces a potential maximum of 15 years imprisonment for the voluntary manslaughter charge.

Norris’s body was found on Monday afternoon behind a building on the corner of McKinley Avenue and West Park Avenue which houses several businesses including a barbershop. 

According to the probable cause affidavit (PCA), all three men had been drinking at the nearby Dirty Dog Saloon on Saturday evening, into the early hours of Sunday morning. 

According to the PCA, one witness told Police that she'd heard that Norris had allegedly made racial remarks toward both Mota and Duncan. The PCA also stated that during the police's questioning of Mota, he told them that Norris threatened them, stating that he had a gun.

Several witnesses at the bar have refuted these claims. According to the bar's owner, there is reportedly audio from the surveillance system that directly conflicts with accusations of Norris stating that he has a firearm. 

However, surveillance footage also showed what appears to be the victim and the suspects shaking hands and hugging before leaving the bar. Mota and Duncan departing first, followed shortly by Norris. 

Duncan who was reportedly knocked unconscious during the fight, had been previously cut off by the bartender due to his level of intoxication according to the PCA.

According to Mota, after Norris had knocked Duncan unconscious he came to his aid and struck Norris with a single left-handed punch. 

Mota and Duncan were staying at a local short-term rental as part of a Native American Fire Crew working in the mountains around Shoshone County. Following the fight, one of their co-workers came to pick both men up, where he reportedly observed Mota helping Duncan to his feet and another man lying on the ground near the curb but still moving and speaking. 

The co-worker also alleged that Mota got out of the truck before leaving because he “was concerned about the male subject,” helped Norris to his feet, told him to go home, and assisted him toward the back of the barbershop. 

Both men were taken into custody Tuesday morning at the Fernan Fire Station in Coeur d’Alene before being transported and booked in Shoshone County Jail.   

According to the medical examiner, Norris’s cause of death was blunt force trauma by epidermal hematoma to the right side of his head. Epidermal hematoma occurs when blood accumulates between the skull and the membrane that covers the brain. 

This story has been updated for accuracy – The News-Press will continue to follow the matter for future developments.

    Martin Duncan