The trial for the man accused of shooting Rachel Burkheimer was set to begin today in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Opening statements were scheduled this morning in the case of John Anderson, 22, of Everett. He is charged with aggravated murder for allegedly abducting, beating and killing Burkheimer in 2002.
Burkheimer, 18, of Marysville was Anderson’s former girlfriend. Prosecutors allege Anderson killed her out of a mix of jealousy and his belief that she posed a threat to a crime gang he helped run.
Anderson’s trial comes of the heels of the first-degree murder conviction of a co-defendant, Yusef "Kevin" Jihad, 34, of Everett.
At that trial, Jihad was portrayed as ordering Burkheimer’s death. A number of young men who admitted involvement in Burkheimer’s abduction and killing testified at Jihad’s trial and are expected to be witnesses against Anderson.
Anderson’s trial is expected to last until mid-May. He faces life in prison without release if convicted.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.