South Park murder: Prosecutor files aggravated-murder charge

Five days after the arrest of Isaiah Kalebu for the murder of Teresa Butz (right) in the South Park home she shared with her partner, who survived the stabbing attack, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg has just announced his decision on what charges to pursue: According to first word from seattletimes.com, the charges include aggravated murder, which could bring the death penalty. We will add the news release/charging-document info here when we get it. ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Kalebu is due in court August 12 to answer the charges. The court documents detail an especially brutal ordeal that lasted almost two hours. It also details what has been described as the action that Butz took, saving her partner’s life:

(Butz) eventually was able to kick the man off the bed, and she and (her partner) attempted to defend themselves. Enraged, the man punched (Butz) in the face with either his fist or the butt of the knife, knocking her across the room. He then began to stab her, striking her in the chest and upper arm. (Butz) was able to grab a nightstand and throw it through the bedroom window. She then dove out of the window herself. (Her partner) ran from the room and out the front door, where she saw that (Butz) had collapsed in the street. (Her partner) pounded on the door of neighbors across the street, screaming for help. The man apparently collected his clothes and fled out of the residence.

Butz died before aid crews arrived. The documents also detail the DNA and fingerprint evidence investigators used to identify Kalebu as the suspect, and note that he remains under suspicion in the fire earlier this year that killed two people including his aunt, as well as facing trial next month in a harassment/malicious mischief case in which the victim is his own mother.

4 Replies to "South Park murder: Prosecutor files aggravated-murder charge"

  • Steph July 29, 2009 (11:29 am)

    So incredibly sad. I feel so bad for her partner. I wonder if I should keep my windows shut at night. Kinda hard with this heat. Thank god I have a large dog.

  • agreed July 29, 2009 (1:00 pm)

    Not to live in fear but I think any window that can been crawled through at night should be closed. There is a difference between the mentality of you and me and predators. It only takes a look at the King County Sex Offender registry. In any area of Seattle there are many living near. And those are just the ones who register. But not to focus on the crime – I am still thinking of how brave Teresa and her partner were. Still grieving for and with them and wishing it didn’t happen.

  • WSM July 29, 2009 (9:46 pm)

    I used to be against the death penalty… not any more.

  • c July 30, 2009 (8:36 pm)

    I feel for both of them. The surviving partner has alot to overcome to be able to even enjoy life again. I wish her well Watch out for each other everyone…

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