Douglas Leroy Kiesz of Mill Creek pleaded not guilty to a charge of second degree murder in King County District Court on Monday, Dec. 15.
The 60-year-old former Seattle police officer made the plea at an arraignment hearing, his second court appearance since he was arrested at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in connection with the death of his estranged wife, 44-year-old Letta Kay Kiesz of Covington.
The body of Letta Kiesz was found by her daughter Dec. 1 in her Jeep Grand Cherokee in the parking lot of a Kent restaurant, one day after she was reported missing to the King County Sheriff’s Office. An autopsy determined she died of two close-range gunshot wounds to the chest. She had told family members Nov. 30 that she was going to meet her husband for dinner to finalize details of their divorce.
According to Kent police documents, Douglas Kiesz was unhappy about the divorce and was suicidal. He even threatened to stab his wife of eight years, according to a friend of the suspect. Documents say Kiesz is seriously ill and requires daily medication.
Kiesz is being detained on $1 million bail at the King County Jail in downtown Seattle. His next court appearance is Jan. 5 at King County District Court in Seattle, and a trial date could be set, said Dan Donohoe, spokesperson for the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
If convicted on the second degree murder charge, Kiesz faces 15 to 23 years in prison.
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