Arlington man gets 7 years in prison for part in Hells Angel killing

Published 12:38 pm Tuesday, January 8, 2008

SEATTLE – An Arlington man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for helping two former Hells Angels kill Michael “Santa” Walsh in 2001.

Paul Foster, 52, admitted that he lured Walsh to his property and helped dispose of his body. He also admitted that he destroyed evidence to cover up the crime and lied to detectives about his involvement.

Foster pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact of murder. He admitted that he assisted Rodney Rollness, of Snohomish, and Josh Binder, of North Bend, in an attempt to be accepted into the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

Rollness, 46, was sentenced to life in prison for Walsh’s murder and racketeering charges. Binder was sentenced to 15 years.

Prosecutors allege that Rollness and Binder wanted to punish Walsh because the Arlington man was claiming to be tied to the Hells Angels.

Wendy Walsh addressed Foster in court today and asked why he helped lead her brother to his death.

“Risking his life and soul for what? To join a club,” Walsh said. “I now believe in evil and it sickens me.”