Former Everett bar owner’s sex crimes case to remain in Snohomish County

Published 12:00 pm Thursday, August 24, 2023

EVERETT — The case against a former Everett bar owner charged with over 20 counts of sex crimes will remain in Snohomish County, a judge ruled Thursday.

Earlier this month, Christian Sayre’s defense attorney asked a judge to move the trial out of the county, arguing extensive pre-trial publicity has made finding an impartial jury impossible.

In court documents, attorney Laura Shaver notes dozens of news stories and social media posts on the case against Sayre, who is accused of drugging numerous women and sexually assaulting them while owning the Anchor Pub. The media attention “inflamed the public,” Shaver wrote.

Court papers filed by Shaver include over 200 pages of social media comments and news articles, including some published in The Daily Herald.

She also cited flyers and stickers hung up around Everett letting residents know of the allegations and calling Sayre a “pervert.”

In response, prosecutors wrote the defense’s argument was premature, since “these assertions are made prior to a single juror being questioned.” The prosecutors also argued much of the media coverage has “generally reported facts, and “the nature of the publicity is non-inflammatory and factual in nature.”

Sayre, 37, isn’t the first profile high-profile defendant to try to get his case moved out of Snohomish County due to heavy publicity.

Earlier this year, Richard Rotter, the man who killed Everett police officer Dan Rocha, made a similar argument. His request was also denied. Snohomish County jurors convicted him of aggravated first-degree murder and a judge sentenced him to life in prison.

Prosecutors believe it has been 35 years since a jury for a local case had to be moved outside Snohomish County. They cite the case of Darren Creekmore, who was accused of murdering his 2-year-old son in Everett.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Millie Judge made her ruling without prejudice Thursday. This means it could be brought up again in jury selection.

Sayre’s trial is set for January. Judge plans to bring in hundreds of potential jurors. Before serving on the jury, they’ll have to answer questions regarding what they already know about the case. Those who note prior knowledge of the allegations would be questioned individually to avoid tainting the other potential jurors.

This can “eliminate any probability of prejudice in a much more practical manner than could be achieved through a change of venue,” prosecutors argued.

This week, Sayre remained in custody at the Snohomish County Jail with bail set at $1 million.

Meanwhile, Sayre also faces similar allegations dating back to before he lived in Everett, to his time living in Oregon.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.