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Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ferguson cancels parole for man convicted of triple murder
Bob Ferguson speaks at a press conference in February. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday reversed a decision by former Gov. Jay Inslee to allow a man convicted of a triple murder more than four decades ago to be released from state prison. Inslee's decision drew backlash from victims' families and Republicans. Timothy Pauley is serving consecutive life sentences for a deadly armed robbery at a SeaTac tavern in 1980 that ended with the deaths of three employees — Loran Dowell, Robert Pierre and Linda Burford — and two other women being severely assaulted. Pauley was 21 at the time of the crime. He is now 66 and was set to be released from state prison Thursday. In an order Tuesday, the governor acknowledged Pauley had worked to better himself while in prison the past four-plus decades. But he questioned whether Pauley had recently apologized for his crimes 'from a place of true remorse rather than self-interest in being paroled.' 'I am unconvinced that Mr. Pauley is truly rehabilitated and fit for release at this time,' Ferguson continued. The state Indeterminate Sentence Review Board approved Pauley's release in 2022, sending the question to Inslee. But after meeting with the victims' families and Dave Reichert, who was one of the detectives on the case in 1980 before becoming King County sheriff, Inslee canceled parole for Pauley, despite his work to rehabilitate himself in custody. Similar to Ferguson, Inslee argued Pauley, who is currently held at the Monroe Correctional Complex, hadn't shown remorse for his actions. But in January, on his last day in office, Inslee reversed course, paving the way for Pauley's parole. In the past week, the victims' families, the state House Republican leader and the mayor of Bonney Lake, where Pauley could have lived after release, urged Ferguson to block Pauley's parole. Reps. Drew Stokesbary and Joshua Penner, whose shared district includes Bonney Lake, called on Ferguson to stay true to his campaign rhetoric of standing up for crime survivors. 'If you stand by and allow Pauley to be freed after brutally murdering three people and irreparably damaging two others, those words will ring hollow — not just to his victims and their families, but to crime victims and families everywhere,' they wrote in a letter to the governor on Monday. 'And you will be responsible for unleashing a fresh wave of devastating emotional trauma on the victims' families.' 'Governor Ferguson, this is a defining moment for your administration,' the lawmakers continued. The victims' families met with Ferguson on Monday. Asked about his decision Tuesday, Ferguson said, 'I think my letter speaks for itself.' He believed this was the only case of its kind his office was reviewing. Pauley's attorney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Bonney Lake mayor pleads with governor to oppose release of convicted triple murderer
Bonney Lake Mayor Terry Carter has sent a letter to Gov. Bob Ferguson to consider reversing the parole decision for Timothy Pauley, who was convicted for the murders of three tavern employees in 1980. Pauley, then 21, tortured five people at Barn Door Tavern in SeaTac during closing time, killing three of them with his accomplice. The pair used extension cords to tie up three women and two men who were cleaning up. They forced the women to undress and brought the men into a walk-in cooler, where Pauley executed them with a revolver. One of the women was later strangled by a cord used to tie her to a bar rail, the Associated Press reported. The other two women survived. He was serving three life sentences for the robbery, rape, and murder of those three people. Despite the sentence, opportunities for parole have still come up for Pauley throughout the decades. In 2016, when there was a possibility for his parole, families of the victims and survivors told KIRO 7 that they were outraged and that they couldn't understand why a life sentence didn't actually mean life in prison. 'Pauley opens up this cooler door and puts a .357 Magnum handgun to our father's head and pulls the trigger. When you are told life, you believe that he is going to be spending the rest of his life in prison,' Angie Dowell, a daughter of one of the victims, said in 2016. Now, nearly 10 years after that plea from family members, the Bonney Lake community was informed that Pauley could soon be out and living among them. In former Gov. Jay Inslee's last few days in office, he apparently reversed a 2022 decision to cancel Pauley's parole. In 2022, the state's Indeterminate Sentence Review Board unanimously found Pauley rehabilitated. It said he completed years of counseling for drug and alcohol abuse and for post-traumatic stress disorder for a workplace injury, he suffered before the killings and was okayed to be released. At the time, Inslee said he did not believe Pauley's rehabilitation was complete because he did not apologize to the victims' families. As Inslee was on his way out, it appears he reversed his decision. While the triple murders took place near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Carter said he was made aware that if released, Pauley may be living in Bonney Lake. With that information becoming known, Mayor Carter wrote a letter to now-governor Ferguson a letter asking him to look into the decision and act as deemed fit. 'I only became aware of this due to social media. Pauley is said to be released to live near Bonney Lake. As the Mayor, it is my duty to attempt to protect this community from harm. My intent in writing this letter is not to spread fear but to ask for meaningful action that you, based on your elected position seem to be the only person who can stop this. Only the Governor has the power to cancel this parole.' The letter continued: 'With your background, especially as the former Attorney General for the great State of Washington, I'm sure you are aware of the negative effects this release could pose for the community.' Earlier this week, the Bonney Lake City Council allowed for public testimony about the release, and they specifically heard from victims' families, who said he failed to express remorse for his crimes or accept responsibility. 'I respectfully request for you to investigate this matter. I believe if you look at this matter with an eye toward public safety, which I believe you will, I believe you'll come to the same conclusion that I have. Pauley is a danger to others and his release would be absolutely traumatizing to his victim and their families. This is a moment for the community to come together, not to spread fear, but to channel concerns into meaningful action. You can stand for justice. You can make sure the voices of the victims, and their families are not forgotten. You are our only hope,' Carter said. In a statement to KIRO 7, Ferguson's office said: 'Governor Ferguson's office was recently informed of Mr. Pauley's impending release, currently scheduled for March 27. Governor Ferguson has the authority to cancel Mr. Pauley's parole. Under Washington state law, that authority requires the Governor to thoroughly review the record before making his decision. Our office is currently conducting its review of the extensive record in this matter. The governor is currently in the process of scheduling a time to meet with family members of Pauley's victims.' It's unclear when Pauley could potentially be released.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA lawmakers narrowly advance proposal for inmate resentencing
The Brief A proposal to let certain inmates in prison apply for resentencing narrowly passed through the House Committee on Community Safety Thursday morning. The legislation would allow certain inmates to petition a court to review their sentence if they meet criteria on time served, improved behavior and low risk of reoffending. Citing concerns about victims rights and judicial discretion, one Democratic representative joined Republicans in an attempt to block the proposal. OLYMPIA, Wash. - A proposal to let certain inmates in prison apply for resentencing narrowly cleared a hurdle in the Washington State House Thursday. One Democratic representative pushed back on the idea as other members of her party pushed it forward. The House Committee on Community Safety voted 5-4 to advance House Bill 1125. The legislation would allow certain inmates to petition a court to review their sentence if they meet criteria on time served, improved behavior and low risk of reoffending. The bill was also amended to require five years of community custody after resentencing, and to encourage victims to tell the court "what outcome would make them feel safe." What they're saying "The prosecutors can do this for any reason that's in the interest of justice right now," said prime sponsor State Representative Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton) "I'm asking that defense counsel be able to do this as well, with a lot of eligibility criteria and protection around it. And continued supervision in the community." Simmons argued people who have reformed should get a second look at their sentences, and often are victims of crimes themselves. The other side However, Republicans argued the bill needs more work. They cited circumstances of judges facing no accountability after letting individuals out of jail who go on to commit more crimes. "I have also heard testimony from other families, who have again been on the receiving end of this," said State Representative Jenny Graham (R-Spokane) "Where somebody that was very dangerous should've never been let out or received low bail, ended up getting out. Now their son is dead." State Representative Lauren Davis (D-Shoreline) also expressed concerns about judicial discretion. "Judges are not qualified to run a parole board," she said. "They have neither the tools nor the training, and the legislature can compel neither." Davis offered a sweeping amendment to have the state's Indeterminate Sentence Review Board manage the process, arguing they are best equipped for the task. But it was voted down. Davis acknowledged the only early release option for individuals who have reformed is requesting clemency from the governor, a process that "is like passing through the eye of a needle" and "leaves too many people behind." "The clemency and pardons process is too narrow. But this bill is far too broad," she said. Davis ultimately joined all Republicans in voting against the bill, arguing crime victims are being pushed to the side with the legislation. "The title of this act provides for 'judicial discretion to modify sentences in the interests of justice.' But I must ask, 'justice for whom?'" Davis said. "As currently construed, this bill provides justice only for the person who has caused harm." When House Bill 1125 could be considered by the full House has yet to be announced. The Source Information in this story is from Albert James, a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. Seattle principal arrested for DUI and domestic violence after car flips Seattle police Lt. sues city, claims retaliation discrimination Japan Airlines plane impales tail of Delta plane at Sea-Tac Airport More than 1K rally outside Olympia Capitol in '50 states, 50 protests' demonstration Washington Senate passes changes to parental rights in education To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
