Father gets 14 years in son’s death

By SCOTT NORTH

Herald Writer

Two grandmothers stood up in a Snohomish County courtroom Thursday and asked for justice.

One begged the judge to remember Reed Delano, a 16-month-old boy who was murdered one year ago today. The other woman urged mercy for the killer, Jason M. Delano, 21, the father of the slain child.

Delano, a sailor from California who was stationed in Everett, in June pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Dec. 8, 1999, abuse death of his son.

The boy died from a brain injury most likely caused when his head was slammed into something hard at the south Everett apartment Delano then shared with his now-estranged wife, according to court papers.

Justice demands punishment for the killer, Reed’s grandmother, Tina Glass, told Superior Court Judge Kenneth Cowsert.

"This baby couldn’t talk. This baby couldn’t say, ‘Help me.’ This baby couldn’t say anything," she said.

But Sandy Delano told the judge she knows her son loved his child and would not have intentionally taken his life.

"He’s a good boy with a good heart," she said.

Cowsert sentenced Jason Delano to 14 years in prison. The punishment was roughly two years longer than the sentence recommended under a plea agreement by attorneys on both sides of the case. It was four years shorter than the maximum punishment allowed under state sentencing guidelines.

Cowsert said the sentence was appropriate because he had been presented no evidence that Delano intentionally hurt his son, although there was no doubt about the result of his actions.

"I sincerely hope for every day of that 14 years and every day of the rest of your life" that you reflect on the toddler’s death, Cowsert told Delano.

Delano apologized "for all the people I’ve hurt."

His defense attorney, public defender Neal Friedman, told the judge that he had advised his client to plead guilty after prosecutors said they were considering increasing charges to homicide by abuse, which carries a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Delano entered an Alford plea, in which he maintains his innocence while conceding that there was enough evidence that a jury would likely convict him.

Doctors who examined the boy found evidence of healing injuries inside his head, which at least one expert said could have occurred during a time when the defendant was nowhere near his son, Friedman said. The defense had considered arguing the boy’s death was the result of one of those injuries.

Deputy prosecutor Paul Stern said the case presented an unusual legal conundrum because evidence of healing injuries could just as easily support a theory that the boy’s death was the final act of a pattern of abuse. If the defense had offered its theory at a trial, Stern said he would have sought to prove homicide by abuse.

Regardless, it was clear that Delano wasn’t truthful about his role in the child’s injuries, the prosecutor said. Delano had said the boy stopped breathing after he hit his head in a fall from a couch.

The boy had injuries to his head that caused his brain to bleed and swell, Stern said. "It was very clear from the beginning that he didn’t get them from falling off the couch."

Talk to us

More in Local News

FILE - A sign hangs at a Taco Bell on May 23, 2014, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell asked U.S. regulators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its longstanding claim to the trademark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Hepatitis A confirmed in Taco Bell worker in Everett, Lake Stevens

The health department sent out a public alert for diners at two Taco Bells on May 22 or 23.

VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coming soon to Marysville: indoor pickleball, games, drinks

“We’re very confident this will be not just a hit, but a smash hit,” says co-owner Allan Jones, who is in the fun industry.

Everett
Detectives: Unresponsive baby was exposed to fentanyl at Everett hotel

An 11-month-old boy lost consciousness Tuesday afternoon. Later, the infant and a twin sibling both tested positive for fentanyl.

Cassie Franklin (left) and Nick Harper (right)
Report: No wrongdoing in Everett mayor’s romance with deputy mayor

An attorney hired by the city found no misuse of public funds. Texts between the two last year, however, were not saved on their personal phones.

Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)
3 guns caught by TSA at Paine Field this month — all loaded

Simple travel advice: Unpack before you pack to make sure there’s not a gun in your carry-on.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
To beat the rush this Memorial Day weekend, go early or late

AAA projects busy airports, ferries and roads over the holiday weekend this year, though still below pre-pandemic counts.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Troopers: DUI crash leaves 1 in critical condition in Maltby

A drunken driver, 34, was arrested after her pickup rear-ended another truck late Tuesday, injuring a Snohomish man, 28.

Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton raises her hand in celebration of the groundbreaking of the Housing Hope Madrona Highlands on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$30M affordable housing project to start construction soon in Edmonds

Once built, dozens of families who are either homeless or in poverty will move in and receive social and work services.

A south-facing view of the proposed site for a new mental health facility on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, near 300th Street NW and 80th Avenue NW north of Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Council OK’s Stanwood behavioral health center

After an unsuccessful appeal to block it, the Tulalip Tribes are now on the cusp of building the 32-bed center in farmland.

Most Read