EVERETT — A dispute over $300 apparently was behind the killing of a homeless man whose body was found in an Everett swamp April 7.
Christine F. Simpson, 49, of Everett, reportedly claimed she gave the money to the man to purchase a half ounce of methamphetamine and he never returned.
She allegedly told somebody else that she thought the victim had snuck into her tent at a homeless encampment bordering I-5 in Everett, and made off with the cash.
Simpson admits approaching several people asking them to “deal with” the dispute, including her boyfriend, James Daniel Archer, 46.
Through a search warrant, detectives obtained a text message from Simpson, asking Archer’s help and saying she was so mad at the man she claimed had her money that could “kill him,” deputy prosecutor Toni Montgomery said in Snohomish County Superior Court papers.
Simpson was charged Monday with first-degree murder in connection with the death of David A. “Doc” Webster, 54.
Webster was beaten and choked with a bungee cord. His body was found in a sleeping, bag partially submerged in a marshy area near a homeless camp.
Archer also is charged with first-degree murder. He allegedly has admitted to detectives that he repeatedly clobbered Webster with a metal bar and then tied him to a tree. He searched the victim’s belongings, and at some point realized the man was dead.
Detectives have spoken to witnesses at the homeless camp who reportedly have said that Simpson engages in drug trafficking and hires men to collect dope debts, using violence when necessary.
Both Archer and Simpson have been jailed on $1 million bail.
Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.
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