Defense attacks Larson’s stability

By Scott North

Herald Writer

Daniel Larson isn’t just a confessed killer. He’s also told people he thinks he is a seer, a big screen actor and a cyborg born in Sweden, a Snohomish County jury was told Friday.

The revelations came as Larson continued to testify at the trial of Indle Gifford King Jr., 40, a Mountlake Terrace man accused of murdering his mail-order bride.

Larson, 21, is a convicted sex offender who formerly rented a room in King’s home. He spent much of two days this week as a prosecution witness, telling jurors he strangled Anastasia King, 20, in September 2000 on orders from her husband. He later led police to her shallow grave near Marysville.

Defense attorney David Allen of Seattle earlier told jurors the case against King rests on an unstable foundation — Larson. He wasted little time trying to prove that Friday.

Allen presented Larson with a series of documents that showed the young man:

  • Believes he is a prophet and receives revelations from God.

  • Has told people he was a child actor and had a role in the 1991 movie "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," starring Kevin Costner.

  • Believes he was born in Sweden, not Edmonds, as his birth certificate indicates.

  • Claims a computer chip was installed in his brain while still a child, giving him enhanced speed, senses and agility.

    "I am a government experiment," Larson told a state corrections official in April. He even recited the number of the serial number of the chip: 150407XA7.

    Larson already told jurors he has a long history of trouble and spent most of his childhood locked up for a variety of mental problems and sex offenses.

    It was while at a mental hospital for children that Larson claims he received electroshocks and had the computer chip implanted in his head, jurors were told. Larson testified that he has difficulty remembering, and also believes some of his memories, including acting in the Kevin Costner movie, may be the result of brainwashing by his mother.

    Allen played a portion of the movie in court Friday to show that Larson does not appear in the film.

    Larson has insisted he is a biblical prophet, although he said he is too humble to use that title.

    Allen presented Larson with a jailhouse letter he sent Christopher Turgeon, a convicted murderer who led a cult called the Gatekeepers. Turgeon claims to be a modern manifestation of the prophet Elijah. The two met while housed in the same part of the jail last year.

    "Elijah," Larson wrote. "I miss you bud!! What’s going on?"

    Larson originally was charged with first-degree murder, but under an agreement with prosecutors, the charge was reduced to second-degree murder with a recommendation that he serve somewhere between 14 and 23 years in prison if he testifies truthfully. That’s decades less than he could have faced.

    Allen repeatedly brought up the plea agreement while questioning Larson.

    Larson said his punishment isn’t a factor.

    "Myself, personally, I do not care what I get sentenced to, so long as the truth gets known," Larson said at one point.

    But Allen showed jurors a letter that Larson sent prosecutors on Jan. 16, asking them if they would lop a couple of additional years off his murder sentence in exchange for pleading guilty to biting a corrections officer last year. Prosecutors did not reply to the offer.

    Nor did they raise many objections to Allen’s attacks on Larson. In opening statements, deputy prosecutors called him a "freak," but also somebody who knew why and how Anastasia King was killed.

    On Friday, prosecutors had Larson read a letter, purportedly written by King, that urged him to change his testimony about King being involved in Anastasia King’s murder.

    In the letter, King allegedly suggested both would go free if they refused to testify at the other’s murder trial. King also allegedly told Larson he would reward his cooperation by allowing him to stay at his home for reduced rent, so long as Larson agreed to mow the lawn.

    You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431 or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.

    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.

    Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

    Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

    x
    Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

    The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

    Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

    A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

    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.

    Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
    Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

    The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

    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.

    Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
    Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

    The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

    A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

    Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

    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.