Lawyer charged with attempted murder

Bellevue police found a fake beard, pistol, bulletproof vest and other items in the trunk of a car owned by a Mill Creek lawyer who was arrested Wednesday in the shooting of another attorney in Bellevue, court papers said.

William Richard Joice, 50, was charged Monday in King County Superior Court with first-degree attempted murder in the shooting of Kevin Jung, 44, of Bellevue.

Joice is a former deputy Snohomish County prosecutor, and has served as a defense attorney for the last four years. He is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 18.

Jung was shot once in the head, and remained in critical condition Monday night at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue.

What documents termed a “murder kit” was in a soft-sided briefcase found in the trunk. Among other things, it contained neoprene police-style gloves, the fake beard and mustache, headphones to fit a police scanner, a homemade silencer and a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol.

In addition, there was a small pouch made partly out of a plastic sandwich bag that was stuck to the side of the silencer with duct tape, apparently to catch ejected shell casings, documents said.

Joice, who is being held on $5 million bail, was arrested by Everett police Sgt. Wayne Meyer after an eyewitness to the shooting jotted down the license number of a 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix that quickly left the parking lot near Jung’s office about 9:15 a.m. that day.

The car was rapidly traced to a south Everett rental agency, and the owner called police when Joice returned the car later that morning.

Joice walked away from the rental agency, and Meyer acted on a hunch and called Yellow Cab to see if someone had called for a pickup in the area. Someone called for a pickup at 63rd Street and Wetmore Avenue.

Meyer spotted Joice about 10 blocks from the rental agency and arrested him before the cab arrived.

The two attorneys had been in a contentious civil court battle on opposite sides of a case over the sale of a Korean grocery store in Lynnwood.

They had been scheduled to be in court Wednesday, where Jung was going to ask for sanctions and a $2,000 fine for Joice not providing information.

Joice previously had been fined about $6,000 for similar actions in the same case. Document said two liens had been filed previously on Joice’s Mill Creek home, one for more than $18,000 by the IRS and the second for $245 for failure to pay homeowner association dues.

Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@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

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Connect Casino Road Director Alvaro Gullien speaks at an Everett City Council meeting to share community thoughts regarding affordable housing and preventing displacement of those that live along Casino Road on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will Everett’s comprehensive plan work in Casino Road?

Residents in the diverse, tight-knit neighborhood want “Investment without displacement.” The city’s plan will help achieve that, staff say.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15… Continue reading

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

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.