Herald staff
An Edmonds woman was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison Tuesday for a May 1999 murder in Everett.
Marygrace H. Fajarillo, 22, had earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Daniel Hjellen.
Under a plea agreement, Snohomish County prosecutors agreed to recommend the minimum punishment under state sentencing guidelines: roughly 10 years for the murder, plus five years for using a firearm.
Superior Court Judge Joseph Thibodeau sentenced Fajarillo in keeping with the recommendation.
Fajarillo sought a sentence below the standard range, arguing mercy was appropriate because she has a history of mental problems.
The woman’s case was delayed for much of a year while mental health experts studied and provided treatment to the woman, trying to determine whether she was competent to assist her attorney and understand the wrongfulness of her actions.
Fajarillo used to work at area nude dance clubs, according to court papers. She was at Hjellen’s home because the man’s roommate was her former boyfriend. Before the shooting, she had asked Hjellen to loan her some money, according to court papers.
After she killed the man, Fajarillo went through the victim’s pockets and took cash and car keys.
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