As a long-time resident of Lake Stevens, I was shocked and deeply troubled by the violence that occurred in my community that took the life of 15-year-old Molly Conley the night of June 1, 2013.
My wife and I raised our two children here and enjoyed the safety, security and feeling of community. This drive-by murder does not belong in Lake Stevens nor any other place. I quickly learned that others in our community felt the same, and I know it reverberated beyond the Lake Stevens and Marysville areas. I cannot even begin to imagine the depth of broken-heartedness of Molly’s family when they learned of this, nor the depth of the trauma that Molly’s five close friends experienced that night when their joy and innocence were shattered forever in an instant.
The shooting happened on a Saturday night. It was in the news that Sunday. By Monday there were two different reward funds being set up, one by local business owner Joe Neverkewitz of Spirits World, and the other by Lake Stevens American Legion Post 181 working with CrimeStoppers. On Friday the first episode of “Washington’s Most Wanted” about Molly’s murder was aired on Q13 Fox. Donations came in from the entire King-Snohomish counties area, and reached $9,000 in the Legion account and over $20,000 for Spirits World prior to the second week’s “WMW” episode on June 14. TV and newspapers initially kept everyone informed. Social media was also used extensively. Then, 22 months later, enough of the details of the shooting rampage were brought before the jury in Snohomish County Superior Court to bring conviction. I learned some things from my daily observations in the public gallery within the courtroom.
Molly’s five friends from Bishop Blanchet High School are very courageous. When the shooting happened, they immediately did everything they could to help Molly, from calling 911 to flagging down passing cars in the middle of the road. With no family to comfort them and separated from their friends, each was interviewed alone at length by law enforcement that did not end until well after midnight. The statements the girls gave helped police know they were on the right track, and also helped prosecutors secure the arrested suspect with an extremely high bail. This kept a killer off the streets of Lake Stevens and other areas of Snohomish County for nearly two years. These young girls, now into their junior year in high school, had to relive the horrors of that night by listening to the 911 calls in the courtroom, then each testifying on Molly’s behalf about the events of June 1. They saw the muzzle flash, smelled the gunpowder, and were deafened by the sound. That bullet or others could easily have hit any of them. They themselves are victims as a drive-by target. The girls endured the thorough cross-examination by the defense team that was grasping for any evidence to prove their client was innocent. Despite the defense’s merciless and abusive questioning, each of Molly’s friends was brave and strong on the witness stand to give her version of that night’s tragedy.
Detective Brad Pince of the Snohomish County Major Crimes Unit and law enforcement from Lake Stevens, Monroe, Marysville, Lynnwood and Snohomish County, as well as specialists in the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab all did an outstanding job searching for evidence and following leads. Their testimonies throughout the trial showed they are professional, knowledgeable and passionate about the work they do to protect their communities. The defense tried to confuse issues, but the evidence was overwhelming.
Snohomish County Prosecutors Ed Stemler and Edirin Okoloko worked hard to build this case, then laid it out so it was easily understood. They were able to adapt to the tactics of the defense that often caused minor and major interruptions. Closing statements by Mr. Stemler and Mr. Okoloko pieced together all the hours of testimony and evidence for the jury to consider.
I sincerely appreciate the jury’s hard work, but am confused by the lesser charge of manslaughter instead of murder. I hope Molly’s killer receives a very long sentence. The verdicts bring closure to the Lake Stevens community, but have not brought justice to Molly’s family.
Tom Thorleifson is a resident of Lake Stevens.
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