EVERETT — A Snohomish County judge sent an 83-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife to jail Tuesday for their role in the failed cover-up of a double murder.
The victims’ family and friends deserved to see Clyde and Faye Reed handcuffed and taken away, Superior Court Judge Bruce Weiss said.
To the couple, he added, “You deserve it.”
The Reeds have admitted to helping their son, John Reed, evade capture after he killed his former neighbors in 2016. His parents destroyed evidence and gave him money and a car to flee to Mexico.
The older Reeds both pleaded guilty in July to obstructing law enforcement, a misdemeanor.
On Tuesday, they were ordered to spend 10 days in jail. Another 354 days of confinement were suspended if they don’t get into further trouble.
Monique Patenaude and Patrick Shunn were murdered in 2016, supposedly over a property dispute. John Reed is serving a life sentence. His brother, Tony Reed, also spent time behind bars for aiding him in hiding the bodies.
Before Tuesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed to recommend no jail time for the older Reeds. The lawyers cited their ages and health challenges, among other factors.
Passing the victims’ families, Clyde Reed, 83, is wheeled out of court in handcuffs after being sentenced, along with his wife, Faye Reed, 79, to 10 days in jail. Their son, John Reed, eventually was caught and convicted in the deaths of Monique Patenaude and Patrick Shunn. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Weiss questioned why the case was resolved as a misdemeanor. The couple initially faced felony charges of rendering criminal assistance. The judge also asked about the implications of letting them go.
“Does it not send a wrong message? … If you’re older and infirm, go ahead and commit a crime?” he said.
Faye Reed declined to speak at the hearing. Clyde Reed said he didn’t know about what was going on when his son needed money. He wanted to clean John Reed’s truck of mud, not blood, he said. He also claimed that he tried to cash the checks for him before the killings occurred.
Video evidence showed those bank trips took place afterward.
“That just confirms what everyone says … you don’t take responsibility,” the judge said.
Patrick Shunn’s uncle, who shares his name, called the Reeds “one ugly regrettable family.”
“As far as I’m concerned, your honor, all of them should rot in hell,” he said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
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