Bail at $100,000 for Tulalip man held in toddler’s death

Published 12:01 am Thursday, November 19, 2009

EVERETT — A Tulalip man who police believe beat a toddler to death in May was ordered held in lieu of $100,000 bail Wednesday.

James Douglas Fryberg, 20, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the May 14 death of 15-month-old Damoniko Ashby and jailed for investigation of second-degree murder.

Fryberg told police Damoniko fell down a flight of stairs, according to a police affidavit. The man was dating the boy’s mother and had been asked to babysit the child.

Investigators found evidence that contradicted Fryberg’s story. Police believe Fryberg beat the boy in the head and stomach, court documents said.

Everett defense attorney Max Harrison asked Everett District Court Judge Roger Fisher to release Fryberg, who has relatives in the area and doesn’t have a history of violent crimes.

The Snohomish County medical examiner this week received evidence that links Fryberg to the killing, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Coleen St. Claire said.

She asked the judge to set bail at $1 million, saying Fryberg is a threat to community safety and has a history of assaulting children.

In setting a lower bail amount, Fisher noted that Fryberg did turn himself in to police.

He forbade Fryberg from leaving Snohomish County, having contact with minors and seeing Damoniko’s mother. If released from jail, Fryberg also must contact his attorney weekly.

Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com.