Charge re-filed against mentally ill man in 2002 murder case

MARYSVILLE — It’s been nearly 14 years since Brady Sheary’s body was discovered in the parking lot at Cedarcrest Middle School in Marysville.

The 18-year-old was stabbed and beaten to death, likely out of jealousy over a girl.

Twice prosecutors have been forced to dismiss the second-degree murder charge against the suspect, Todd Lee Brodahl, because state doctors concluded that Brodahl was too mentally ill to assist with his own defense.

Prosecutors on Wednesday re-filed the murder charge against the Marysville man, now 32.

Western State Hospital staff late last month notified Snohomish County prosecutors that they intended to release Brodahl to a less-restrictive alternative because under the law he no longer meets the criteria for civil commitment. Doctors don’t believe Brodahl is a danger to himself or to the community.

Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Chris Dickinson on Wednesday asked for a $500,000 arrest warrant to move Brodahl to the county jail. He’s been housed at the state psychiatric hospital for more than a dozen years.

A new charge doesn’t mean Brodahl is headed to trial anytime soon for the April 23, 2002, killing. Prosecutors must restart the competency-evaluation process. They were told that in order for a new evaluation to be done they had to re-file the murder charge.

A state forensic psychologist will need to determine if Brodahl can assist his lawyers and if he fully understands the charge against him. If he doesn’t, he can be sent back to Western for restoration treatment in the hospital’s forensic ward. That hasn’t worked in the past.

In 2004, doctors determined that Brodahl wasn’t competent to stand trial. Doctors found that Brodahl suffered from a mental disease but couldn’t pinpoint the problem. His heavy methamphetamine use prior to his arrest was considered a contributor to his mental illness, court papers said.

Prosecutors were forced to drop the murder charge but re-filed in 2008 after learning that Western planned to release Brodahl. The charge was dismissed a year later when efforts to restore Brodahl’s competency failed. He was civilly committed to the hospital and has remained there.

It’s a process Tammy Sheary can recite by heart.

“I don’t believe he’s no longer a danger to the community. I believe he will always be a danger,” Sheary said. “My biggest fear is that he’ll be released and will be walking the streets in my neighborhood.”

Sheary heard a few months ago that Brodahl could be freed. She is concerned that Brodahl is being released because of the ongoing problems at Western State Hospital.

The hospital has come under fire for long wait times for treatment of criminal defendants who aren’t competent to stand trial. Western is under federal monitoring to improve those wait times after losing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court.

Federal inspectors in November also warned the hospital it was at risk of losing Medicare and Medicaid funding if it didn’t improve patient safety.

“I want to know this case isn’t caught up in that mess,” Sheary said.

She was relieved when prosecutors told her that they were going to re-file the murder charge. So much time has passed and she was worried that prosecutors would decide against reopening the case.

“I can’t bring Brady back but I want justice served. He needs to go to trial for what he did to my son,” Sheary said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.