Lynn Sass (center) and Kim Cutts (right) listen as the judge hands down the sentence of Mark Abrahamson on Monday at the Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Lynn Sass (center) and Kim Cutts (right) listen as the judge hands down the sentence of Mark Abrahamson on Monday at the Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Arlington-area man gets 7½ years for fatal machete attack

Family members of Scotty Sass, 51, addressed a judge this week in the sentencing of his killer, Mark Abrahamson Jr.

EVERETT — More than 20 people packed a courtroom this week for a sentencing in a machete attack that killed Scotty Sass, of the Arlington area.

Sass’ family members expressed anger and frustration Monday that Mark Abrahamson Jr., 31, had pleaded guilty last month to first-degree manslaughter. The defendant was originally charged with second-degree murder for the attack on his roommate in June 2021.

“Scotty was murdered horrifically, just a few days before Father’s Day,” his mother Lynn Sass said in court. “It totally broke the hearts of not only his children, but our whole family — everyone who loved him … yesterday was the Super Bowl, my son’s favorite day. The fact that he was not with us was horrifying and felt by everybody in the room.”

Under state guidelines, the defendant faced 6½ to 8½ years behind bars.

On the evening of June 16, 2021, Abrahamson killed Sass, 51, in their yard during an argument over a wheelbarrow, according to charging papers.

Abrahamson had been inside the house with his girlfriend when they reportedly heard Sass yelling in the yard. Sass was spreading gravel with a shovel, rakes and a handcart, the charges say. The older roommate was angry he had to use the cart because his wheelbarrow was missing, and he blamed Abrahamson, according to the charges. The girlfriend tried to intervene, but she was reportedly pushed aside. Abrahamson swung a machete and struck Sass’ neck, the charges say.

Mark Abrahamson (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Mark Abrahamson (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The defendant called 911, saying he’d used a machete in a fight and the other person was injured. Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies arrived to find Sass’s body in the gravel.

Abrahamson was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on June 17, 2021.

Defense attorney Natalie Tarantino wrote in a sentencing memorandum that Abrahamson feels “terrible guilt for the events that unfolded that day even though his actions were motivated by protecting himself and (his girlfriend) from imminent harm.”

“Plea negotiations and resolution of the case were entirely at (the defendant’s) insistence,” Tarantino wrote.

Abrahamson expressed remorse Monday.

“I know there’s no words that can change the way things are,” Abrahamson said. “To the family of Scotty Sass: I’m eternally, eternally sorry for what my defensive actions led to … You all have every right to hate me, but I hope you all understand I am a loving father to two boys, a friend to lots of the community and a loyal, loving fiance.”

Deputy prosecutor Matt Hunter acknowledged the family’s disappointment at Monday’s hearing. He said he may also be angry if he were in their shoes. The prosecutor explained there was no doubt Abrahamson killed Sass, but anticipated testimony in the case changed “materially” after the defendant was charged.

“As it ended up, the only substantive testimony would have been from (the girlfriend) — and possibly the defendant if he chose to testify,” Hunter told the courtroom. “The victim was holding the shovel, cocked back, ready to swing it at the moment he was killed: That would have been the testimony.”

Hunter would have needed to disprove self-defense or defense of another.

Second-degree murder would have been the least likely verdict in the trial, Hunter said, noting the jury may have found Sass guilty of lesser charges.

“The state got the second-best alternative,” Hunter said. “I think it’s a good outcome for the state. I think it actually would have been irresponsible of me to have not made the agreement.”

Hunter and Tarantino agreed to recommend a prison sentence at the low end of the standard range.

Sass’ eldest daughter Kayla addressed the courtroom Monday, pleading the judge to hand down a longer prison term.

“Six-and-a-half years is not enough,” the daughter said. “That’s not justice for my dad’s life being stolen. That’s not justice for murdering a man. Thieves get more time than that. It’s a slap on the wrist for one of the worst crimes. The safety of our community is at risk.”

Judge Bruce Weiss told the family he understood how they felt.

“I absolutely understand your thoughts, your mistrust in the system,” Weiss said.

The judge went on to say a relative by marriage was killed in Snohomish County many years ago. That case looked similar to what happened in Sass’ case, the judge told the court.

The prosecutor’s office determined they could not disprove self-defense, Weiss said, and they never even charged the case.

“In this case, they’ve charged the defendant,” Weiss said. “You can believe and you can conclude that he murdered Mr. Sass. I’m not telling you that’s not accurate from your position. I’m telling you, from my experience as a judge and as an attorney, that juries do many things that you disagree with.”

The judge imposed a sentence of 7½ years.

Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; edennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

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.