Man draws life term for pot slayings

EVERETT — Saroeun Phai came to Everett to rob a dope house.

He’ll leave Everett a convicted murderer, sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Phai, 26, was convicted last month of aggravated murder in the execution-style shootings of two people at an indoor marijuana growing operation in Everett.

The Tacoma man and co-­defendant Areewa Saray planned to commit robbery. Prosecutors allege they barged into the house, shot Linda Nguyen as she opened the door and gunned down Kevin Meas in the basement.

Nguyen, 20, and Meas, 23, lived in the house on Dexter Avenue and were paid to take care of the pot farm.

Phai declined to say anything Friday before Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Larry ­McKeeman gave him a mandatory life sentence.

His attorney, Philip Sayles, told the judge Phai has been a good client, who hasn’t given him any trouble.

“He comes from a great family,” Sayles said. “I just ask the court for leniency.”

Prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty for Phai. The only other sentence for an aggravated murder conviction is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Phai “committed what is one of the single most-selfish acts humanly possible,” Snoho­mish County deputy prosecutor ­Matthew ­Baldock said Friday.

Meas’ sister, who lives on the East Coast, listened to the hearing by telephone.

“Kevin Meas was a caring and loving person,” Phony Meas said. “He wouldn’t have looked for trouble.”

Phai will appeal the conviction, Sayles said.

Saray, 21, also was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to life in prison. He too is appealing the conviction.

Nguyen and Meas had just moved to the Everett area after Nguyen’s older brother told her he was making money caring for a marijuana crop. His boss was looking for more tenders.

Nguyen’s brother and his girlfriend took care of an indoor pot farm at a nearby house on E. Beech Street. Detectives seized more than 1,100 plants from both houses.

The grow operations found in the Everett homes are similar to indoor pot farms in Canada, authorities said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.