SEATTLE – King County prosecutors have filed first-degree murder charges in the killing of a Boeing worker last year, saying the man’s wife, her son and the son’s friend tried to mask the crime as a random carjacking.
Velma Ogden-Whitehead, 48; her son from a previous marriage, John Odgen, 18; and Ogden’s friend, Wilson Sayachack, 17, conspired to kill Ron Whitehead on March 18, 2005, as he drove to work, prosecutors wrote. Each was charged with one count of first-degree murder Tuesday in King County Superior Court. Sayachack is charged as an adult.
Investigators broke the case when they subpoenaed cell-phone records from the time of the killing, and saw that Sayachack and Ogden had exchanged 61 text messages. Ogden-Whitehead gave Sayachack the prepaid cell phone he used to communicate with Ogden, detectives said.
Handicapped vet who was set ablaze dies
A homeless military veteran and amputee who was set afire while sleeping in his wheelchair on the street in Spokane is dead.
Douglas R. Dawson, 50, died late Monday at Harborview Medical Center after being taken off life-support equipment, hospital officials said.
Sean Knold, 23, of Seattle, and Matt Tramell, 22, of Portland, Ore., who were arrested following an unrelated robbery of a woman in Spokane on Friday, the same day as the attack on Dawson, remained in custody and could face charges in his death, police said.
“Their statements led detectives to believe the pair was involved in the fire,” Officer Thomas Lee said.
A friend said Dawson, who had one leg, was homeless in Spokane for at least three years. The motivation for the attack was unclear, police said.
Port Angeles: Missing state official’s car found
A car belonging to a state official reported missing last weekend has been found in Olympic National Park’s Staircase area near Hoodsport, and a search was begun for the man, the National Park Service said Tuesday.
Gilbert Gilman, 47, of Olympia – deputy director of the state Department of Retirement Systems – was apparently last seen Saturday at the Staircase Ranger Station. A co-worker reported him missing Sunday.
Tuesday’s ground search involved 14 people and two dog teams. An expanded search, including a helicopter, was planned today.
Gilman’s 2005 silver Thunderbird convertible had apparently been parked at the ranger station since Saturday
Davenport: Man biking across U.S. killed by car
An experienced bicyclist making a trip across the United States was struck and killed by a motorist near Davenport.
Philip B. Smith, 56, of Banner, Wyo., died along state Highway 23 after a vehicle struck him from behind about 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Smith was part of a group riding from Seattle to Washington, D.C.
The Washington State Patrol will meet with Lincoln County officials this week to discuss whether charges will be filed against the driver, Mari K. Armstrong, 31, of Harrington.
Trooper Gerry Wier said alcohol was not a factor.
Lakewood: Police warn people of attacks at park
Police are asking people to stay out of Fort Steilacoom Park at night, following a recent series of attacks.
In three incidents in the past three weeks, 23 people were threatened, beaten with sticks or robbed, Lt. Dave Guttu said.
The perpetrators are believed to be a group of seven or eight men in their teens to early 20s. Guttu said they identified themselves to victims as “Juggalos,” fans of the Detroit rap group Insane Clown Posse, but that had not been confirmed.
Associated Press
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