David says wife injured in falls

By SCOTT NORTH

Herald Writer

A Snohomish County jury on Friday heard Victor David, in his own words, explain how his wife’s face became covered with scars, her ears cauliflowered and her arms contorted by untreated fractures.

Prosecutors played a tape-recorded statement that the Marysville man gave Karl Parrick, an investigator for the state attorney general.

On the tape, David, 60, said his wife fell on the filthy sailboat the couple shared with up to seven German shepherd dogs. Her grotesquely injured ears, for example, were the result of falling against "probably the walls, probably the walls, I would think so," Victor David said at one point.

The tape was made in early 1997, shortly after Linda David, now 52, was removed from the couple’s dilapidated vessel, which was then moored off Everett. David is on trial for second-degree assault in connection with his wife’s injuries.

Parrick, a Medicaid fraud investigator, testified that he made the tape after an agitated David showed up at Providence Everett Medical Center, demanding to see his wife.

On the tape, David said he and his wife were "old-fashioned people" who chose to treat medical ailments through consumption of natural foods, such as unpasteurized goat milk.

David told Parrick that he believed his wife had multiple sclerosis and perhaps was stricken with intestinal parasites, but he hadn’t taken her to a doctor in years because "trying to get ashore is a problem."

David said he didn’t know the woman was rendered virtually blind from cataracts and glaucoma until after she was removed from the boat by police and firefighters.

He said his wife had burned herself by backing into a gas lantern and otherwise injured herself by falling on the boat.

The defendant recounted one incident when he was sitting on the ship’s toilet, heard a noise, and looked out of the bathroom to find his wife "down just like a fallen tree, face on the floor."

That’s when she likely broke her nose, David told Parrick, who throughout the conversation spoke in soothing tones and repeatedly asked the defendant for his trust.

Victor David’s attorney, Bryan Hershman of Tacoma, forcefully questioned Parrick about his interview technique, asking if he had intentionally misled David to help make a case against him.

Parrick acknowledged that he hadn’t been completely truthful to David, but he said that at the time the tape was made he had a more pressing motive for trying to gain the man’s trust.

Victor David had shown up at the hospital, disheveled and hostile, Parrick testified. The investigator said he was just starting his probe of what happened to Linda David, and he had reason to believe Victor David may be armed with a large-caliber handgun.

Parrick said the tape documented him trying to calm down David.

"His body language told me that at any moment he could go off," Parrick said.

Parrick was scheduled to return to the witness stand Monday, the same day prosecutors say they intend to have Linda David testify.

So far, more than 20 witnesses have been called, and prosecutors don’t expect to rest their case until late next week. Judge Thomas Wynne told jurors they can expect the trial to continue for another two weeks.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

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.