Mentally ill murder suspect to be sent to new ward, not released

EVERETT — A mentally ill murder suspect who prosecutors feared would be released to the streets because of chronic problems at the state’s psychiatric hospital is expected to be admitted to a new forensic mental health center in Yakima.

A Snohomish County judge ordered Todd Brodahl released from jail Tuesday if the state Department of Social and Health Services didn’t admit him to Western State Hospital.

The Marysville man, who has schizoaffective disorder, is too mentally ill to assist his defense attorney. His condition has worsened in the three months he’s been housed at the Snohomish County Jail.

Superior Court Judge George Bowden, in keeping with a federal mandate, last week ordered Brodahl released from the jail if the state couldn’t provide him timely mental health treatment. The judge was told it would be up to 55 days before the hospital would have an open bed for Brodahl.

A federal judge has ruled the long delays at the state psychiatric hospital are unconstitutional. The state is under orders to cut the wait times.

“We do not anticipate that Mr. Brodahl will be released. He should be in bed in a hospital soon,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Elise Deschenes said Monday.

Brodahl is charged with second-degree murder. He’s accused of stabbing and beating to death 18-year-old Brady Sheary in 2002.

The case has been stalled for more than a dozen years because Brodahl, 32, hasn’t been well enough to understand the charge against him, or assist with his own defense. He was civilly committed at Western State Hospital for the better part of 13 years.

Prosecutors refiled the murder charge earlier this year after they were notified that Brodahl was expected to be released to a group home.

The new criminal charge sent Brodahl to the county jail. His symptoms worsened in large part because of the jail setting, according to a state psychiatrist. She concluded March 11 that Brodahl isn’t competent to stand trial. A judge called for restoration treatment.

Bowden’s order to release Brodahl sent prosecutors scrambling last week.

Deschenes called the state Attorney General’s Office, which represents DSHS, and was advised of a new process to request earlier admission for state mental health treatment.

As of March 15 jail staff or defense attorneys can request a consultation for expedited admission for inmates who suffer from “significant or life-threatening psychotic systems” or are actively suicidal.

“We treat every court order as a priority for admission. In very limited circumstances we can make exceptions to the wait list through a triage process if it is determined that the individual waiting for admission is at risk due to the acuity of their psychiatric symptoms,” said Victoria Roberts, a deputy assistant secretary for DSHS.

Snohomish County jail staff made the request in Brodahl’s case, Deschenes said.

Bowden late last week agreed that Brodahl could be admitted to a mental health center deemed appropriate by DSHS. The state has opened 24 beds at a renovated Yakima jail to ease the long waits for inmates awaiting competency restoration treatment.

Defense attorney Natalie Tarantino said Monday that she was advised that her client would be sent to the Yakima Competency Restoration Center.

She is opposed to the move. There are unresolved safety concerns raised by the lawyers who filed the federal civil lawsuit against DSHS, Tarantino said.

The lawyers asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent the state from using the Yakima center. They say the it isn’t a “therapeutic hospital setting” and presents dangers to mentally ill offenders. That motion has yet to be heard by U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman.

Tarantino also is concerned that the move will impact her client’s health further. He was treated at Western State Hospital for more than 13 years “so the continuum of care available at (Western) seems best,” she said.

Brodahl is expected to be held for at least three months for restoration treatment. Prosecutors can request more time if he remains unable to assist with his own defense.

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.