EVERETT — Yusef "Kevin" Jihad can be a commanding — and confounding — presence.
His voice is deep. He knows how to chose his words with care. Dressed neatly in wire-framed glasses, dark blue sweater and casual slacks, the Everett man sat in the witness box Tuesday in Snohomish County Superior Court and tried to explain what he called "the logic of an illogical situation."
In the closing hours of his aggravated murder trial, Jihad, 34, repeatedly told jurors he had nothing to do with the September 2002 shooting death of Rachel Rose Burkheimer, 18, of Marysville.
He also acknowledged that the story was more complex.
Jihad said he was shocked when former friend John Anderson, 22, began to beat Burkheimer in his living room. Yet, that shock wasn’t sufficient to keep Jihad from repeatedly snorting cocaine during the hours Burkheimer was tied up just a few feet away in his garage.
Jihad said he was scared into inactivity by fear of Anderson, whom he described as vindictive and quick with a gun. Even so, he told jurors that he never believed Anderson would kill Burkheimer, who was petite enough to be stuffed into a large duffel bag before being carted away to her death.
Jihad told jurors he felt ashamed that he did nothing to help Burkheimer. Yet, he testified that within days of her death he fled to California, leaving behind his girlfriend and her young daughter, whom he believed were at risk of violence by Anderson.
Jihad said he was afraid Anderson would try to kill him, but was also convinced that his former sidekick would do nothing to harm his girlfriend as long as Jihad was still free and a potential threat.
Jihad had beaten Anderson in a fistfight not long before Burkheimer’s killing. Jurors have already heard that the pair argued over whether Burkheimer could be trusted.
"The truth shall set you free. So I came up here to tell the truth," Jihad said at one point Tuesday.
Lawyers were scheduled to make closing arguments in his trial today. Jurors were expected to begin deliberating by this afternoon.
Deputy prosecutor Michael Downes left little doubt that he will try to portray Jihad as a liar who enjoyed the company of drug-using thugs.
In questioning on Tuesday, Downes highlighted the inconsistencies in Jihad’s testimony, the man’s drug use and involvement in crimes, including drug-related robberies with Anderson. Jihad denied being part of a gang, describing them instead as "just friends" who were united by drug use and criminal acts.
He admitted to repeatedly lying to police.
"I’m not trying to sit here and say I’m a Boy Scout and my morals are higher than anyone else’s," Jihad said.
His attorney, Mickey Krom, focused questions on Jihad’s fear of Anderson and lack of involvement in Burkheimer’s death.
Did you kill her? he asked.
"No, I did not," Jihad said.
Did you order anybody to kill her?
"Absolutely not," Jihad said.
At times, it became tense in the courtroom Tuesday.
Jihad was not a compliant witness, often answering as he saw fit regardless of the question before him. Downes grilled him until he got a response, and that eventually led Jihad to anger.
"I mean, if you are not going to let me tell the story, I ought to get off the stand," he said.
Jihad faces life in prison without release if convicted of the aggravated murder charge. He’s also charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy.
Reporter Scott North: 425-339-3431 or north@heraldnet.com.
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