PORT ORCHARD — A Poulsbo man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for the second-degree murder of a 74-year-old friend who reportedly made a pass at him.
The Kitsap Sun reports that Casey Cutlip, 58, apologized to the victim’s family as he was sentenced Friday in Kitsap County Superior Court. Cutlip claimed that a conversation he had with his older friend, Darwin Dunker, last year sent him into a dissociative state because of a history of sexual abuse.
Following the visit at Dunker’s home in Poulsbo, Cutlip armed himself with a .22 pistol, then returned and shot Dunker four times in the head.
Prosecutors said that afterward, Cutlip called 911 and then confessed to detectives.
Judge Leila Mills said she was convinced that Cutlip was still in a “state of disbelief” at his own actions, but said Dunker was a “truly innocent victim” and that Cutlip’s history of abuse and mental illness did not excuse the crime.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.