Appeal denied in 2004 Olympia killing

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published September 16, 2008

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Michael John Reise met Kenneth Gillaspie in jail in early 2006.

Gillaspie told Reise he was living and working at Bailey’s Motor Inn in Olympia on Oct. 26, 2004. That was the night Reise killed Austin Hardison after an earlier physical altercation, court papers say. At the time, Reise managed the restaurant associated with the motel.

Gillaspie said he saw Hardison advance on Reise with a club, and observed Reise shooting him in self-defense. The inmate said he didn’t come forward because there was a warrant out for his arrest, court papers say.

Reise ended up pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the case. But he appealed based on this new witness and saying he had ineffective council because attorney James Dixon talked him into the plea, according to court records.

Today, the state Court of Appeals denied Reise’s attempt to withdraw the plea.

For more on the story, see The Olympian Wednesday.