West Seattle Crime Watch: Graffiti suspect’s record

As first reported here yesterday afternoon, a 31-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the Morgan Junction hate-graffiti vandalism. As noted during last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, and confirmed in a jail-register check, he is currently being held for investigation of property destruction, which would be a city-prosecuted misdemeanor case, while possible charges of malicious harassment – a county-prosecuted felony – are reviewed. Since the suspect is not yet charged and we do not have details at this point indicating whether he was caught in the act – two of our criteria for identifying suspects prior to filing of charges – we are not publishing his name. But we have checked his record, which is a lengthy one, though most of the cases are from the ’90s and not available online. In Seattle Municipal Court files, which DO go back into the ’90s, online records show he was arrested in 2006 for a weapons violation and “pedestrian interference,” and in a 1997 case, he was arrested on two charges — trespassing and the same charge for which he is being held now, “property destruction with a value greater than $50.” We’ll continue to watch the case closely; as of right now, he is still in custody, according to the King County Jail Register.

Jim May 20, 2009 (2:22 pm)

I hope everyone takes note that this is not a juvenile nor (apparently) a mentally ill individual (as many posts on this topic assumed). People can be intentionally anti-social even when grown-up and sane.

Peter May 20, 2009 (3:43 pm)

But he’s probably from West Seattle, so, you know…
;)

HomeOnBeachDrive May 20, 2009 (7:06 pm)

I would debate the mentally ill. Seriously. No one I know, not one of my friends has be arrested for harassing or vandalizing someones property, much less weapons charges, multiple times. I can actually understand spray painting something stupid on a wall IF you’re a 15 year old on a dare or something, kids do dumb things without thinking about the seriousness or consequences. But a 20 year history of CONSTANTLY getting into trouble like this? Anti-social is just being rude or dismissive or even just a jerk. But harassing other people, trespassing, vandalism, weapons charges over and over and over is not just “anti-social”.

Cait May 20, 2009 (7:21 pm)

I’m thinking there’s some sort of instability here but I won’t go so far as to assume mental illness. It scares me that this guy has a weapons violation on his record – I guess it’s good that no one confronted him directly. I hope he gets help wherever that needs to happen. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – he needs to pay a fine, he needs to undo the property damage and he needs to do some serious looking into why he’s such an aggressive and destructive homophobe. Whether that involves the help of a professional is not for anyone here to judge.

Me May 20, 2009 (9:09 pm)

As a friend of the family, I can attest that this guy has problems. He didn’t come from a bad family life that I know of. He got inolved in some bad stuff at an early age that unfortunately he allowed to set his path for life. His family has always been very supportive in trying to help get on the right track. He has been homeless by his choice. Knowing him from back when he was 16 to seeing him now is very sad. By no means am I making excuses for him. What he did along with everything else is wrong. In my unprofessional opinion, I would say he has a mental illness. I hope he gets help as well as pays for what he has done.

Dunno May 21, 2009 (7:31 am)

Thank you Me for your post. I don’t know this man but have observed him several times. From
what I witnessed, something isn’t right with him.
I also hope he gets help. Too many that need it are slipping through the cracks. This writing of his is not that much different than man that
attacked the blind lady on one of our city busses saying the sick must die. Words become actions and thank God he was caught before anyone was hurt. BTW, you’re not making excused for him, he needs help and most likely medication.

Sorry, comment time is over.