| Daily Docket |
Updated: 3:20 p.m. May 18 |
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Charges filed in Shoreline shooting--A 20-year-old man has been charged with Murder Second Degree and Attempted Murder Second Degree for a shooting in Shoreline on Wednesday that killed a 17-year-old girl and wounded an 18-year-old man. The defendant, Joseph D. Cooley, is currently at large. Prosecutors are requesting that the defendant be held on $2 million bail when he is arrested.
Update: Trial date set in State v. Monfort--A trial date has been scheduled for September 13, 2013 for Christopher Monfort. Judge Ronald Kessler set the trial date at this afternoon's status conference. The Court also scheduled four initial pre-trial hearings, with the first set for August 3, 2012. Monfort is charged with aggravated first degree murder for the 2009 slaying of Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton. He is also charged with the attempted first degree murder of Seattle Police Officer trainee Britt Sweeney, Officer Brenton's partner, the attempted first degree murder of Seattle Police Sergeant Gary Nelson, arising from Monfort's actions when apprehended, and the arson and attempted murder of additional law enforcement personnel stemming from bombs that were planted at the Charles Street Vehicle Services Facility used by Seattle Police.
May 17:
Arraignment for May Day protesters--Three May Day protesters accused of assaulting Seattle police officers during the protest were arraigned this morning and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Paul Campiche, 23, is charged with two counts of Assault Third Degree for allegedly throwing a bottle at an officer and then kicking a second officer who was attempting to arrest him. Robert Ditrani, 23, is charged with one count of Assault Fourth Degree. He is accused of spitting on an officer. Maria Morales, 30, is charged with Assault Fourth Degree for allegedly hitting an officer in the chest. A case setting hearing is scheduled for June 7 at 1 p.m. in courtroom 1201 at the King County Courthouse.
May 16:
Murder charge filed--Murder and arson charges were filed today in connection with the murder of Denise Grigsby, 39, whose body was found in the trunk of her burned-out car earlier this month near Black Diamond. Prosecutors have charged Michelle Backstrom with Murder Second Degree and Arson Second Degree. Her boyfriend, Kennon Fastrup, is charged with Arson Second Degree, Rendering Criminal Assistance First Degree and Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Police Vehicle. The murder allegedly occurred after an argument between Fastrup and the victim. Both defendants are in jail on $1 million bail. There is ongoing investigation into the murder. Arraignment is set for May 31 at 9 a.m. at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, courtroom GA.
May 15:
Charge dismissed against protester--The King County Prosecutor's Office has dismissed charges against a protester who was accused of assaulting a Seattle police officer during the May Day protests in downtown Seattle. Joshua Garland, 28, was charged with one count of Assault Third Degree for allegedly grabbing a police officer's hand and twisting and pulling his arm. After reviewing video provided by Garland's defense attorney showing the alleged incident, prosecutors no longer believe they could prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The charge was dismissed today.
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College Students: Get good experience now!
Volunteer as a Summer Intern Victim Advocate. Learn more . . .
April 22-28 is National Crime Victims' Rights Week
This event is designed to increase public awareness of victim rights and available victim services. Victims of crime often feel helpless in the aftermath of a crime. They may feel afraid, isolated and alone, or they may be left financially devastated. We are fortunate to have a network of victim services here in King County, and I am proud of the men and women in the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) who work so hard to reach out to crime victims, connect them to services, and advocate for them. We have advocates to help victims in the following areas:
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Obtain financial restitution from offenders;
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Help with domestic violence protection orders;
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Help victims and their families understand and go through the trial process in sexual assault, child abuse, vehicular homicide, homicide, elder abuse, and domestic violence cases. Learn more . . .
Tougher Sentences for Vehicular Homicide
More than 200 people are killed each year in Washington State by drunk drivers, more than are killed by any other crime. Each year, scores of families in our community suffer the unimaginable loss of having a loved one killed by this senseless crime.
In December, we were joined by some courageous people who lost loved ones to drunk driving crimes in King County: Randall and Cathy King, who lost their son Derek, Mary Hodgins-Bobbit, who lost her son Nicholas, Craig and Angela Stenseth, who lost her daughter Jessica, and Nabila Lacey, who lost her husband Steve. Learn more . . .
 
King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC), a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Renton, is the largest and most comprehensive sexual assault services organization in Washington State. KCSARC is also an important partner of the PAO's in its efforts to end sexual assault and hold offenders accountable. Learn more . . .
Kids' Court Helps Young Victims
The PAO's Kids' Court is a special program designed to help child victims of sexual abuse or other trauma who are asked to testify in court.
Kids' Court (and a similar Teen Court program) is offered six Saturdays a year, and is an experiential activity-based program. Through a standardized curriculum, participants engage in discussions with a judge and prosecutor, role-play, and play games to increase their knowledge of courtroom personnel and procedures.
This program allows children to experience court as a safe and respectful place. Kids' Court helps empower children by encouraging them to view testifying in court as an accomplishment, instead of something to be afraid of.
To learn more about Kids' Court or Teen Court, please click here.
Protect Against Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious problem in our community and throughout our state. National statistics rank Washington seventh in the nation in the number of financial fraud complaints. Identity thieves are growing increasingly sophisticated in figuring out new ways to obtain sensitive financial information.
One of the newest schemes, commonly referred to as "skimming," allows identity thieves to obtain a victim's credit or debit card information by placing a device on an ATM machine, gas pump, or any other machine that "skims" and reads the electronic information from the electronic stripe on any debit or credit card. Learn more . . .
Senior DPA Scott O'Toole Nationally Recognized for Trial Skills
Senior DPA Scott O'Toole was recently accepted into The American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization composed of the best of the trial lawyers from the United States and Canada. The American College of Trial Lawyers is widely considered to be the premier professional trial organization in America. Learn more . . .
Legislative Wrap-Up
The 2012 regular Legislative Session ended on March 8. Despite significant budget challenges, Prosecuting Attorneys throughout the state pushed for and achieved major legislative reforms on behalf of victims of crime. In addition to HB 2216, which increased sentences for DUI Vehicular Homicides, the following bills passed the Legislature:
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Impaired Driving: HB 2443 (external link)
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Domestic Violence Reform: HB 2363 (external link)
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Additional Restrictions Relating to Child Pornography: HB 2771 (external link)
Learn more . . .
Community & Speaking Events
Dan Satterberg enjoys attending and speaking at community events. If you would like to invite Dan or someone from the Prosecuting Attorney's Office to speak to your group, please email the office at this link Prosecuting Attorney
In March, Dan spoke to the following organizations or at the following events:
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Former U.S. Attorney John McKay's Seattle University Law Seminar Class
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Asian Pacific Islander Safety Center & Chaya's 17th Annual Candlelight Vigil
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King County Crime Victim Service Center Training
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The Auburn Rotary Club
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Washington State Bar Associations Leadership Institute
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King County Bar Association's Future of the Law Institute
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