Suspect says he used lawful force when he shot another man

EVERETT — George Hatt Jr. doesn’t deny he killed a man in 2015 but it wasn’t a cold-blooded murder like prosecutors make it out to be.

That’s what jurors heard from Hatt’s defense attorney as the man’s trial got under way earlier this week. Elizabeth Mustin, a public defender, told the jury in opening statements that Andrew Spencer was out for blood the day he showed up unannounced on Hatt’s property in Granite Falls.

Spencer sucker-punched Hatt’s buddy in the face. He kicked and punched him while the man was down, Mustin said. Hatt was defending his friend when he shot Spencer, she said.

“He used lawful force,” Mustin added.

Deputy prosecutor Hal Hupp said evidence will show the killing was premeditated and motivated by revenge. Hatt had made it known around Granite Falls that he was out to get Spencer, whom he blamed for a break-in at his house. Witnesses will testify that Hatt threatened to kill Spencer more than once, Hupp said.

“It became an obsession,” he said.

Hatt, 50, is charged with first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors also charged him with second-degree murder under the theory that he intended to kill Spencer, 32.

Jurors on Thursday continued to hear testimony from the man Spencer clobbered. He lived in a trailer on the property. He admitted that he helped cover up the crime and ditch Spencer’s car. He also admitted that it wasn’t until Spencer’s family cornered him and drove him to the police station that he came clean about what he’d seen and done.

Prosecutors allege Spencer died Nov. 1, 2015. His remains were recovered 10 days later. He’d been shot in the head.

The witness rubbed his head and fidgeted with the microphone Thursday as he recounted the minutes, hours and days after the killing.

Spencer showed up while he was working on his rig, the man said. They were acquaintances and he’d bought a gun off the man. Spencer acted like he was going to shake his hand and instead punched him in the face, splitting his lip. He was crawling on the ground and was kicked or punched in the side. After that blow, he heard Spencer say, “Now that you’re warmed up, we can talk.”

He was on the ground when he heard the gunfire, the man said. He curled up into a ball, scared that Hatt was going to shoot him, too. He told jurors Hatt had warned him that if Spencer ever showed up again, he should scram, otherwise the man would be a witness to a crime and Hatt would have to kill him, too.

The man recounted Hatt digging a hole in a fire pit after the shooting.

“He says, ‘Grab a leg,’ ” the man said.

The men dragged Spencer to the hole, pushing him in feet first. The man told jurors that Hatt jumped on the dead man’s back several times before burying him. Hatt, he said, built a fire on top of the makeshift grave and kept it burning for three days. He also poured gasoline and acid into the pit, the man said.

“Did you call 911? Did you report it to police?” Hupp asked.

“No,” the man said, glancing at the jury.

He denied knowing why Spencer was upset enough with him to attack him.

Spencer’s family showed up on the property, looking for the missing man. Hatt and his girlfriend were gone. The witness told Spencer’s relatives he didn’t know anything. Two days later they “kidnapped” him and forced him to talk to Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies, he said.

Hatt was arrested in Auburn a few days later after police received a tip on his whereabouts. Hatt has multiple felony convictions out of California and North Carolina.

Detectives were told that Hatt ran a chop shop on the Granite Falls property, taking in stolen cars, forging the titles and selling the vehicles.

His trial is expected to stretch into next week.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers walk in and out of Fred Meyer along Evergreen Way on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council rebukes Kroger for plans to close Fred Meyer store

In the resolution approved by 6-1 vote, the Everett City Council referred to store closure as “corporate neglect.”

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Arlington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
A divided Arlington City Council votes to reduce SkyFest grant by half

After months of debate over lodging tax funds, the council voted 4-3 to award the popular aviation event $20,000.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood jail costs expected to exceed budget by end of 2025

As of September, the Stanwood police has spent $53,078 of its $59,482 annual jail budget.

Alex Waggoner is handcuffed after being sentenced to 19 years for the murder of Abdulkadir Shariif Gedi on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds man sentenced to more than 19 years for death of rideshare driver

Judge Richard Okrent sentenced Alex Waggoner, 23, Wednesday after a jury earlier found him guilty of murder in the 2nd degree.

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office K-9 vehicle along U.S. 2 where a man was shot on Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)
Suspect arrested in King County after person shot near Sultan along US 2

The assault investigation closed down east and westbound lanes of U.S. 2 Wednesday afternoon.

Traffic moves around parts of the roundabout at the new I-5/SR529 interchange on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WSDOT delays opening of Marysville interchange, ramps

Supply chain issues caused the agency to push back opening date. The full interchange and off ramps are expected to open in October.

Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits

A public records request for Flock camera footage has raised questions about what data is exempt under state law.

Two troopers place a photo of slain Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Gadd outside district headquarters about 12 hours after Gadd was struck and killed in a crash on southbound I-5 on March 2 in Marysville. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
One More Stop targets drunk driving this weekend in honor of fallen trooper

Troopers across multiple states will be patrolling from 4 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Former barista claims Starbucks violated Everett law

The part-time worker wanted more hours, but other workers were hired instead, the lawsuit alleges.

New chief medical officer joins Providence Swedish North Puget Sound

Dr. Sanjiv Tewari will oversee more than 1,500 physicians and clincians in Everett, Edmonds and Mill Creek.

Hangar 420 is pictured on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in unincorporated Snohomish County, Washington, less than half a mile away from the Lynnwood border. On Monday, the Lynnwood voted to lift its 10-year ban on retail cannabis. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood nips city cannabis ban in the bud

The City Council lifted the city’s 10-year retail cannabis ban Monday, allowing up to four stores near Highway 99 and Alderwood Mall.

Ballot envelopes sit in the Thurston County elections center. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)
Washington denies DOJ request for voter rolls

Washington’s secretary of state on Tuesday denied the Trump administration’s request for… Continue reading

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.