EVERETT — An Ellensburg man pleaded guilty to two felonies Friday, admitting he helped his older brother in April hide the bodies of a slain Oso couple, as well as their vehicles.
Tony Reed, 49, entered guilty pleas to two counts of first-degree rendering criminal assistance in connection with the deaths of Patrick Shunn, 45, and Monique Patenaude, 46.
As part of the plea, Tony Reed acknowledged he committed the crimes to assist his older brother John Reed’s attempt to flee from justice.
Prosecutors believe John Reed, 53, killed his neighbors after years of tension that worsened after the 2014 Oso mudslide.
John Reed is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, accused of shooting the couple to death. He is believed to be in Mexico, where he has eluded arrest for more than two months.
Tony Reed also fled south, but he surrendered to authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border in May. At the time he, too, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Those charges were dropped, however, after investigation showed he wasn’t involved in the killings. Instead, he admitted to helping hide the bodies and other evidence.
Detectives have confirmed that the younger Reed brother was gathering agates with friends the day of the killings. The kind of rock his client was seeking that day is known as “Ellensburg blues,” and is often used in jewelry, said his lawyer, James Kirkham.
Tony Reed told investigators his brother showed up and asked him to head to Oso. It wasn’t until he got there that he learned of the killings and his brother’s alleged involvement, according to court papers.
After his surrender, Tony Reed helped detectives find the site where he said he assisted his brother in burying the victims.
Tony Reed faces about a year behind bars. His sentencing is scheduled for late August, but that could change, Judge Millie Judge was told Friday.
Tony Reed is not alone in being accused of trying to help his brother. Their parents, Clyde and Faye Reed, 81 and 77 respectively, were jailed and released earlier this week, on allegations that they, too, had rendered criminal assistance.
The couple is accused of providing their sons money and a car after the Oso killings.
John Reed still is being sought on a $5 million arrest warrant. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his capture and arrest.
Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
