EVERETT — A piece of paper containing a bloody footprint could produce new information in a Snohomish County homicide.
Tammie Peterson, 55, is charged with first-degree murder in the 2017 killing of her roommate, Deborah Jeanneret. Prosecutors allege the attack was premeditated.
On Dec. 13, a judge granted an order compelling Peterson to allow police to collect her right footprint for comparison.
Jeanneret, 50, was stabbed more than 40 times at her home south of Everett, according to court records. She died from blood loss.
Peterson had moved into the residence about a week earlier. Prosecutors allege that she fled with the dead woman’s car, cellphone and credit cards, which she used to make purchases.
When police caught up with her, Peterson blamed the killing on an ex-boyfriend. The man was arrested and held until his alibi eliminated him as a suspect. Peterson then identified another man as the assailant. That claim also was found not to be credible.
Peterson also reportedly told detectives that she bagged up items from the scene and put them in the trunk of the getaway car.
In the trunk was the piece of paper. The footprint on it “includes visible ridge detail,” prosecutors told the court in an affidavit.
“Footprints are as unique to an individual as fingerprints,” they added.
Peterson remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty.
In November, her trial was delayed again while issues around discovery are resolved, including subpoenas for witnesses and for the defendant’s mental health records.
Another hearing is set for January, with trial now scheduled for March. Trial is expected to last three or four weeks.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.
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