Everett manslaughter suspect will remain free on bail

Published 11:42 pm Thursday, October 30, 2008

EVERETT — An Everett man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend will remain free on bail.

Donald Madsen, 62, is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Pamela Placek. He pleaded innocent to the charge Thursday in Snohomish County Superior Court.

Madsen is accused of shooting Placek in the face at close range Sept. 24. He allegedly told police he was talking to Placek, 52, about a death pact and showed her the gun they would use, according to court documents. He said the gun accidentally went off, police reported.

Placek called 911 and reported that he’d shot his girlfriend. He allegedly told the emergency operator that “I told her … treat every gun like it was loaded because you never know sometimes you might pull the trigger and she turned over and looked right in … and she’s dead,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Paul Stern wrote in charging papers.

Madsen is a trained gun handler, who has taken and taught gun safety classes, Stern wrote. Evidence indicates that he was a member of the Boeing Gun Club, according to a court document.

Madsen posted the $1 million bail shortly after his arrest. The judge on Thursday agreed to reduce the bail to $500,000.