Edmonds Fire Marshal John Westfall remains on paid leave while Snohomish County prosecutors determine whether to charge him in an alleged domestic violence incident.
Westfall, 43, was charged in April in Edmonds Municipal Court with fourth-degree assault related to domestic violence stemming from an incident involving his girlfriend in January 2003.
Westfall previously had been charged in October 2002 with third-degree malicious mischief related to domestic violence. He was sentenced in April 2003 in Edmonds Municipal Court to two years’ probation on condition that he have no new criminal violations and complete an anger management course.
Mayor Gary Haakenson placed Westfall on paid administrative leave after the charges were filed in April. He has continued to receive his salary of about $88,000 a year.
Haakenson said Westfall is being paid while on leave “because he hasn’t been found guilty.”
To avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest regarding a city employee, Haakenson asked that the case be transferred to another jurisdiction. “I wanted a change of venue because I didn’t think he should be tried in our own court,” Haakenson said.
Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Mark Roe said he has sent the case to the county’s South District Court in Lynnwood. A victim’s advocate will interview the alleged victim and determine whether charges should be filed, Roe said.
The court will conduct its own investigation independent of the previous evidence in the case, Roe said. “We’re starting from scratch.”
Bill Sheets writes for The Herald in Everett.
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