I lived in Spokane for 15 years ending in 2003. Jim West always seemed to be involved in some kind of scandal. I recall one occaision where he left a message on a political enemy's answering machine. I don't remember exactly what it was about, but I can remember he used the words, "Don't f*ck with me, or I...will...KILL...you!" I don't have a hard time believing that he intimidated those boys into silence.
I think Ted Bundy was a republican too. You just never know.