BULLETIN: Arrest, charges in Roxhill Park murder

(Memorial in Roxhill Park paying tribute to the victim, photographed by WSB last Sunday)
Just in from Seattle Police – a 21-year-old man is in custody in connection with last week’s Roxhill Park murder (original WSB report here). The brief police update is on SPD Blotter – it says the suspect’s been in custody since last Thursday. That’s the same day the victim found early Wednesday morning was officially identified as 40-year-old Bernard Martin, as the Medical Examiner confirmed he was killed by injuries including broken ribs. More info to come.

2:36 PM UPDATE: King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says the suspect, 21-year-old Chatri Lime Thip (DOC mugshot added, at right), is charged with second-degree murder and is jailed in lieu of $1 million bail. The motive was said to be “rage” experienced by the suspect after the victim walked up to him and asked for a beer while Thip was drinking beer reportedly stolen nearby. The murder weapon: A shopping cart. We are reviewing the paperwork now and will add more details from the narrative shortly.

ADDED 2:56 PM:The narrative, transcribed, in progress – adding in chunks (so keep refreshing if you see this before it’s finished):

On 9/22/2010 at 0731 hours the Seattle Police Department 911 center received a call from a citizen reporting a man down in Roxhill Park. Responding officers located a male down and obviously deceased near some rockery benches in the park. The victim appeared to have been beaten. (Medical Examiner) responded to the scene and also rendered the preliminary opinion that the victim had been beaten to death, although the official cause of death ruling would follow the autopsy. Patterns in the dirt near the body appeared to indicate that it had been moved or dragged around the area. The victim was without his shirt and shoes and was extraordinarily dirty. His wallet had been removed and the contents emptied onto the ground. He has been tentatively identified as Bernard Ray Martin, age 40.

The scene investigation by SPD Homicide and CSI detectives revealed the presence of a large quantity of beer cans and bottles, and beer packaging in the immediate area of the victim. Detectives observe the following beer brands that appear to be predominant.

MGD 64 beer, 18 pack bottles
MGD 64 beer, 18 pack cans
MGD beer, 24 pack cans, two of these
211 Steel Reserve beer, 12 pack cans

The remainder of this rather large city-owned park was mostly free of litter and trash. Inquiry at stores that sell beer within close proximity determines that the Safeway store located at 2615 SW Roxbury is the only store that sells 2 of the specific brands/quantities that were present at the scene of the body.

Detectives contacted management of that Safeway store and advise of our interest in determining via computer research or other means when a certain quantity of certain beers were recently purchased. The intent being to isolate a time frame to review security camera footage for images of the person(s) buying that beer. A short time later detectives were advised by Safeway management that the previous evening they actually had a theft of a large quantity of beer of the brand and volume located at the crime scene. An employee is located at Safeway who has knowledge of the theft and those that participated in it. Detectives locate and interview (the employee).

(The employee) is shown still images from the security camera recordings. He identifies several of the individuals in the images including the male that actually pushed the shopping cart loaded with stolen beer out of the store. (The employee) names him as “Lime.” (He) explains that he is acquainted with “Lime” from the neighborhood but knows nothing more about him. (He) describes “Lime” as Asian, possibly Filipino.

(Employee) states he then goes to the nearby park just north of the Safeway (Roxhill Park) and locates the individuals that stole the beer. (He) indicates that he knew this is where these individuals frequently go. He ends up staying with them there for a while, drinking the stolen beer with them. (He) states that while they were there, a guy walks up and asks if he can buy a couple beers from them. They gave him two beers for a dollar, and he left. (Employee) states the guy came back a little while later and “Lime” immediately “gets into it with him.” (Employee) explains that Lime was pushing and poking him and verbally harassing him. (Employee) states that one of the other guys who he identifies as “Sii” or “Lausi’i” starts “getting into it” with Lime. (Employee) states that the situation was getting too tense so he decided to leave. He leaves the park and goes home.

Using SPD and public databases a possible identity for Lime is isolated as Chatri Lime Thip. Detectives show (employee) a photograph of Thip and (he) confirms it to be a photograph of who he has been referring to as “Lime.”

On 9-23-2010 at approximately 1845 Thip is located in Pacific, WA. He is transported to SPD HQ for interview. The resulting interview is video and audio recorded in its entirety. Subsequent to Miranda warning. Thip admits to the theft of the beer and to transporting the stolen beer to Roxhill Park. Thip admits to drinking approximately six of the stolen beers. Thip admits that while they were in the park the victim walked up to their group and asked for a beer. Thip states he did not know the victim. Thip states the victim did nothing to anyone in their group and was not threatening in any way. Thip states that for no apparent reason Thip, or possibly one of the other males present, punched the victim, knocking him down. Thip states he repeatedly punched and kicked the downed victim in the face, body and head. Thip states numerous times he jumped off a small wall into the air landing on the chest or back of the victim with his buttocks. Thip states he repeatedly picked up a full sized steel framed shopping cart and slammed it down onto the torso of the victim. Thip also struck the victim with a bottle. Thip then left the area, with the victim still down on the ground. Thip made no attempt to summon medics or other aid for the victim.

Thip’s only explanation for what he did to the victim was that he experiences “rage” when he drinks.

At the time of Detectives’ interview with Thip, he shows Detectives reddish soiling on the inside of his pants. Thip states the soiling is the victim’s blood that was transferred there when he jumped onto the victim from the small wall. These pants, along with his shoes, have been taken as evidence and will be scientifically examined later …

That’s it for the transcription of the narrative. A judge granted prosecutors’ request for $1 million bail; they wrote, “The defendant’s criminal history includes a 2008 conviction for Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree relating to a murder committed in Pacific, Washington; a 2006 conviction for Taking a Motor Vehicle Without the Owner’s Permission; and a 2005 conviction for Assault in the Fourth Degree.” His arraignment is set for October 12th.

52 Replies to "BULLETIN: Arrest, charges in Roxhill Park murder"

  • LR September 28, 2010 (2:06 pm)

    Oh Wow , what was he thinking , sad :(

  • Cheryl September 28, 2010 (2:17 pm)

    What’s some scumbag from Pacific doing up in West Seattle in the middle of the night killing people? Ugh. I really hope this is the right guy, and that they nail him to the wall for what he did. I cannot shake Mr. Martin’s murder in my head. Just such a waste. What’s wrong with people? Especially 20-somethings?! (like that idiot woman who killed the tow truck driver)

  • WTF September 28, 2010 (2:28 pm)

    I hope this dude is the guy who murdered Bernard. Now let’s sweep him in the dust pan and toss him in the trash and be done with it.

  • K September 28, 2010 (2:33 pm)

    No name for the guy? Only 1 person booked for homicide investigation and that guy supposedly was rendering criminal assistance in 2008 for a murder in Pacific too! What is wrong with people?!? This is so sad.

  • Kayleigh September 28, 2010 (2:41 pm)

    I know it’s not relevant and I’m immature to notice, but his name is really Chatri Lime Thip?

    • WSB September 28, 2010 (2:49 pm)

      Kayleigh, I am reading directly from the court documents, which were shared by the prosecuting attorney’s office with media as always. That is the exact spelling of the name on the charging document – TR

  • Kate K September 28, 2010 (2:44 pm)

    May Bernard Martin rest in peace. And condolences to his family and friends.

  • HolyKow September 28, 2010 (2:59 pm)

    Wow. Rage. Over beer he did not pay for (IE stole). And he up and killed a dude over it.

    Now that is messed up.

    Again, you never can tell when you might just roll up on crazy.

    Sad. 2 wasted lives over nothing of consequence.

    I.Don’t.Get.It.

    hk

  • sarelly September 28, 2010 (3:04 pm)

    I’m glad they caught the guy so we don’t have to worry about an unknown wandering around.

  • MJ September 28, 2010 (3:11 pm)

    Apparently he was out on bail from another burglary when he committed this crime….if I’m reading the jail registry right. Released 9/14 on $35,000 bail?

  • ws September 28, 2010 (3:21 pm)

    excellent police work here

  • gyngersnap September 28, 2010 (3:38 pm)

    Nobody deserves to die this way – except maybe the guy who committed this crime. I am so distraught that nobody helped Bernard, or tried to stop the animal who beat him to death, 2 blocks from my house. God help us.

  • Karlynn September 28, 2010 (3:39 pm)

    Glad they caught the guy, or at least it sounds like they have. This whole story is just so sad. I feel for Martin’s family for their senseless loss. What causes someone to act so violently toward another human who wasn’t even threatening him?! Just all so sad. :-(

  • catlady September 28, 2010 (3:46 pm)

    Reading the description of how brutally beaten Bernard Martin was makes me sick to my stomach. I can’t imagine the pain he endured before succumbing to death. May your soul rest in peace Mr. Martin.

  • pink64 September 28, 2010 (3:59 pm)

    This is a very sad state of affairs we live in today. Prayers to the victims family.

  • Greenie September 28, 2010 (4:06 pm)

    I spent a lot of time at this park when my children were young and passing it always brings back such sweet memories. I will think of Mr. Martin when I pass the park now. Senseless… and so sad.

  • Cheryl September 28, 2010 (4:13 pm)

    Reading the description of the murder above has made me sick to my stomach. What the f*ck? Again, I’m so sorry for Bernard Martin’s family and their loss. What a horrible way to die. And for nothing, except some lunatic alcoholic who has “rage” when he drinks. Put a bullet in his head. He doesn’t deserve to live. Jeebus.

  • Scar September 28, 2010 (5:03 pm)

    What’s truly tragic is that they were drinking Miller and Steel Reserve. A sad way to go.

  • Manolita September 28, 2010 (5:37 pm)

    Murder weapon: a shopping cart. WTF?

  • cj September 28, 2010 (5:54 pm)

    Sorry but this individual needs to be kept away from society. I sure hope is 2nd degree murder charge doesn’t leave him open to probation.

  • DP September 28, 2010 (6:10 pm)

    The defendant’s criminal history includes a 2008 conviction for Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree relating to a murder committed in Pacific, Washington; a 2006 conviction for Taking a Motor Vehicle Without the Owner’s Permission; and a 2005 conviction for Assault in the Fourth Degree.

    What was this guy doing running around free with a record like this? Apparently “rendering criminal assistance” to murder isn’t a very serious charge, or he’d still be doing time for it. Wait a minute . . . Isn’t that what the woman who drove the getaway care in the Lakewood police shootings was convicted of? They slapped her with five years, but this guy gets out in less than two? Something’s wrong here . . .
    .
    If this guy had been made to the do some hard time for his previous violent crime, the Roxhill murder wouldn’t have happened. I suspect there’s a judge or parole board somewhere that dropped the ball on this guy.
    .
    waterworld, you’re a legal eagle. Do you have any comment?

  • mike September 28, 2010 (6:25 pm)

    The details of this senseless brutality are disgusting. I take my kids to this park, and it will be hard to see it the same way. My prayers go out to Mr. Martin’s family (love you Mike!), and kudos to the homicide detectives for their excellent detective work. Let’s hope the American justice system finally gets the hint so there are no more victims of this sick individual’s alcoholic “rage”.

  • Baba September 28, 2010 (6:49 pm)

    Clemmons sister’s harsh conviction IMHO was just an exception by the authorities to show that if anyone ever attemps to shoot (or helps in any way to kill) cops, they will end up like that, thus the wikipedia picture of dead mr. Clemmons.

  • Bonnie September 28, 2010 (7:05 pm)

    I have typed something over and over again but each time put my cursor over it and deleted it. I can’t even say what I think. It’s disgusting.

  • coffee September 28, 2010 (8:09 pm)

    I SURE hope Safeway is less 1 employee. And its apparent that the suspect figured out he could “drink for free” in West Seattle, hence his trip up here from Pacific. I would hope that Safeway would put some security patrol on duty after 8 PM. Too bad the “suspect” won’t get to have a beating like he did to the harmless Bernard. And really, getting in that kind of rage and its not even legally his own beer!?

  • JanS September 28, 2010 (9:11 pm)

    I’m still trying to figure out how one steals 96 bottles/cans of beer in a cart without being noticed!

  • Catherine September 28, 2010 (9:15 pm)

    I’m absolutely horrified. I don’t even know what to say.

    My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

  • JanS September 28, 2010 (9:18 pm)

    I guess what I’m saying/asking is…was “the employee” the only one working at Safeway that night? And…will that “employee” (hopefully, former employee), be charged with anything, like aiding and abetting? He let them get away with it…and then joined them. Yes, he cooperated with the police, but still…where the hell was his head?

  • coffee September 28, 2010 (9:36 pm)

    Tracy, wondering if Safeway would comment on this. Either corporate or the store manager.

  • Larry September 28, 2010 (10:11 pm)

    Piece of f**king human garbage.

  • bridge to somewhere September 28, 2010 (10:34 pm)

    Good to know Roxhill Park is where everyone goes to drink their stolen beer. Good thing it isn’t patrolled by SPD.

  • sick of this s September 28, 2010 (10:57 pm)

    There is a good reason at times for the death penalty. Must have had a wonderul upbringing. His family should be examined too as this rage probably festers at home too.

  • dsa September 29, 2010 (1:21 am)

    I’m glad others asked questions about the Safeway employee, because this part of the story seems too outrageous to believe.

  • sophista-tiki September 29, 2010 (3:52 am)

    I hear from a close inside source that the night shift at the Slaveway is very dysfuctional so it may have been effortless to walk out of the store with a cart full of anything. If that guy had that much rage in him he likely was aready seething and the victim just happend to be the trigger that sprung the trap. I will never look at a shopping car the same way again

  • coffee September 29, 2010 (7:23 am)

    I have been in that Safeway after 11 PM and it is a mess to say the least.

  • Jim September 29, 2010 (9:04 am)

    Safeway already has a Gatekeepers Systems cart control system in place for the parking lot, which would have made that cart full of beer a hand full to move around once they crossed the invisible fence line. I wonder if they will install a purchase check (Purchek) system at the door too. That would have set off an alarm and stopped that cart in its tracks. And unlike Home Depot they just can’t wave you on. They have to come over and unlock the wheel on your cart with a remote control device.

  • bridge to somewhere September 29, 2010 (9:20 am)

    I feel so bad for Bernard and his family. I am sorry he had to come across this monster. I am sorry nobody heard his struggle while getting beaten so close to where many people live. I am sorry he felt safe in that park before he was attacked. I’m sorry people like “Lime” exist, and further, that those people attack people weaker or older or alone. Chatri Lime Thip, you are a weak, pathetic human being, and I hope you never again have a chance to terrorize another person again.

  • Ksjprod September 29, 2010 (9:25 am)

    This guy should have already been in jail. If we would quit worrying so much about non-violent drug offenders we could afford the jail space for people like this.

  • coffee September 29, 2010 (9:42 am)

    How does that cart thing work? I see people pushing carts out of there all the time.

  • Baba September 29, 2010 (9:58 am)

    I don’t think this incident is so much about stolen beer, shopping cart or Safeway’s employee. When anyone has such serious anger control issues there is no way to know the time, the place and whatever the murder weapon can be in ones hands at that moment. Unfortunately this would of happened sooner or later. I don’t see how this type of outcome could have been prevented.

  • RP September 29, 2010 (12:07 pm)

    …ok, I’ll ask it: Is he an immigrant? As in ‘legal’?

  • bridge to somewhere September 29, 2010 (12:15 pm)

    OK, I’ll ask it: does he like the color red? (e.g., I’m not exactly sure how immigration status relates to a person’s proclivity to commit murder.)

  • Baba September 29, 2010 (12:40 pm)

    I think what RP is implying that he/she much rather see mr.Lime murder someone in his country of orgin instead, if indeed he is “illegal”.

  • madashell September 29, 2010 (1:05 pm)

    Good answer, bridge to somewhere!

  • Marcy September 29, 2010 (3:13 pm)

    Nice work SPD. All because they figured out where the beer came from. Sad story.

  • Leah September 29, 2010 (9:35 pm)

    My family is hurting and we just want to thank the SPD for their hard work and dedication to finding the person responsible for Beanie’s death…I dont believe this man was the only one who did the damage our family witnessed on Beans body. We hurt to think that someone could be so brutal. God Bless Beanie…R.I.P. cuz

  • Mike Hickey September 30, 2010 (11:14 am)

    Dear Leah, The West Seattle community is grieving right along with you. I agree wholeheartedly with Baba – this brutality tends to invite excessive scrutiny toward the wrong sources: Safeway, the judicial system, police surveillance of the park, etc. The fact is that these violent criminals are benefitted by living in a free society. This individual is sick and I think some part of him knew it, hence the prompt confession. I’m morally opposed to the death penalty, but I’m reconsidering that perspective. In the meantime, please know, Leah, that we are praying for your family every single day.

  • WTF September 30, 2010 (12:35 pm)

    Simply put: POS

  • Baba September 30, 2010 (1:32 pm)

    @WTF, what Polycystic ovary syndrome, a disease of the ovaries – has anything to do with this incident?

  • LESLEY September 30, 2010 (5:47 pm)

    Beanie was someone who loved life – Lime took that away from him and I hope that he gets his freedom taken away forever. He was my cousin and when I went to the funeral in MT I thought what kind of beast could do such a thing, now the beast has a face. Thank you Seattle for your thoughts and prayers and thank you SEATTLE POLICE DEPT FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB! My cousin is with lots of relatives now and I pray he is resting in peace.

  • Rob October 3, 2010 (2:26 pm)

    I am a cousin to Bernard “Beanie” Martin. It is a darn shame that things like this have to happen. My brother Randy “Gary” Stuker, Beanie’s cousin, was murdered in Havre, Montana in May of 1986. He was out drinking late at night and was stabbed in the back and slashed twice across the face. Alcohol in excess is never good news. Plus, nothing good EVER HAPPENS after 10 at night!!!! I personally am grateful that the police caught the guy who did this to my cousin. Like my family said, he was a peaceful guy and never caused trouble for anyone but himself. He had his troubles but never deserved to die. We all loved him and helped him as much as we could. I just pray that the Justice System in Seattle will lock this “Lime” guy up for a very long time. The city of Seattle does not need or deserve a guy like that running around on their streets.

  • Lana October 21, 2010 (10:18 am)

    I am so appaled at this man and I am grateful for the Detectives that got him. Hopefully he will never get out of prison. Because of the way Beanie died, I am heart broken for him. I am his cousin also Rob is my brother. His mother is my aunt and she is so heartbroken. This guy is dangerous, not only to society but to anyone who walks by him cause you never can tell what he will do when the urge hits him alcohol or not. His record indicates he has no value for life. He is a piece of garbage. Beanie was a beautiful wonderful man who had nothing. He lived as best as he could and never gave me trouble, but I shared laughter with him. He was awesome and I loved my cousin. SO I hope that That the seattle Justice system totally locks this guy up for good.
    Because God forbid he get out and destroy another family. My condolences to the other family who had to deal with this scumbag.

Sorry, comment time is over.