To make ‘a statement that we as a community want justice,’ rape/attack victim’s daughter asks your help tomorrow

Tomorrow afternoon, the man who viciously attacked and raped a 58-year-old woman near 22nd/Roxbury will be sentenced.

Her daughter called us today to ask us to ask you to be there, if you possibly can – “to make a statement that we, as a community, want justice.”

We reported here on October 24th about 25-year-old Christopher A. Brown‘s guilty plea, four months after he was arrested in Oklahoma; he had been visiting here when he committed the crime. His plea hearing happened unannounced; we just happened to find the court documents a week later.

His crime itself initially came to light after we were asked about a helicopter search in the early morning hours of March 7th; we followed up with the King County Sheriff’s Officeand learned what happened: The victim had been walking to catch a bus; Brown asked her for a cigarette, which she gave him, and then offered her money for sex, which she declined, at which time he grabbed her, dragged her into the bushes, choked her until she was nearly unconscious, punched and kicked her in the face and body, raped her, and then before getting away, robbed her and threatened to kill her family – pointing out he had her personal information, in her purse – if she reported it.

In subsequent weeks, as deputies worked to solve it – including door-to-door contacts, trying to find information, showing a sketch, and a photo of the purse Brown stole from the victim – the intensely brutal attack continued to draw regional attention.

Brown – found via DNA match – pleaded guilty in mid-October to rape, assault, and robbery. Prosecutors are recommending that he be sentenced to a little over 14 years.

The victim’s daughter says her mother will speak at tomorrow’s hearing. So will she. And so will – her voice caught a little as she told us this – her 9-year-old daughter.

They hope, it goes without saying, that Brown will pay a heavier price. And they hope that community members can show their support, to show the good and caring in the world. They want the judge to know this wasn’t just a crime against one woman – this was a crime against the community, affecting people’s sense of safety, raising suspicion, increasing fear.

The sentencing is scheduled for 1 pm tomorrow in Judge Julie Spector‘s courtroom, E-815 (eighth floor), King County Superior Court in the County Courthouse downtown (516 Third Avenue). It is open to the public; if you can go, allot time for the security check (our advice, try the 4th Street entrance, where there’s usually less of a wait).

12 Replies to "To make 'a statement that we as a community want justice,' rape/attack victim's daughter asks your help tomorrow"

  • wsgal November 13, 2014 (1:08 pm)

    In some cases you can write in letters if you are unable to attend, any idea if this is an option?

  • Roxfill November 13, 2014 (1:23 pm)

    It is important to understand that 171 months is likely the top end of the standard range for this offense. Additionally, in Washington, Rape 1 falls under the indeterminate sentencing law, which means that Mr. Brown will likely be sentenced to 171 months to life. Once he has served the 171 months, the indeterminate sentencing review board may determine by a preponderance of the evidence that he is likely to re-offend and incarcerate him longer.

  • Kayleigh November 13, 2014 (1:29 pm)

    Even 14 years isn’t enough. I hope the woman he harmed is healing and feels the love and support from her community.

  • Alkiwendy November 13, 2014 (1:53 pm)

    I was a victim of a theft. The person that did it elected to take a plea deal. The Honorable Julie Spector was the sentencing judge in the case. I chose to speak, and it was a good decision. I also wrote a letter to Judge Spector, and filed a copy with the King County Clerk’s Office so it would become a permanent part of the file. I found Judge Spector to be compassionate, fair, and very approachable. I asked that she impose the maximum sentence, and she did.

  • CEA November 13, 2014 (3:09 pm)

    I am unable to attend but wanted to share that my thoughts will be with the victim and her family tomorrow. I second Kayleigh’s sentiments!

  • newnative November 13, 2014 (4:59 pm)

    Choking in this case should be considered attempted murder and he should have been charged with threatening to kill as well.

  • monica November 13, 2014 (5:23 pm)

    Im unable to attened..please bring just justice to my aunt and our family.. 14 years is not enough time for what he has done…

  • JTB November 13, 2014 (6:57 pm)

    I’ve heard a case made that a desire for reciprocity is a human trait, something ingrained. It seems to me that without penalties or consequences—reciprocity— laws don’t have the indented impact of deterring antisocial behavior. Thinking a bit about violent offenders, I believe there is obviously something very, very wrong with how they work psychologically, at least in this day and age. From the standpoint of what to do about such people, I wonder if reciprocity, punishment alone has proven adequate in curtailing repetitions of the same behavior. My sense is “no.” So that leads me to wonder about what we provide to rehabilitate violent offenders and prevent recidivism. Seems that either we do something credible in that regard, lock them away and throw away the key, or live with the consequences of having them out and about with limited resources to avoid repetitive acts. So really, what is apt to provide justice when 14 years is considered to be insufficient—-20 years, 30 years, throw away the key? Are we to think that 14 years in prison won’t get the guy’s attention that he’s bearing some consequence? That he’ll really believe it in another five or ten years? Do we even know if he’ll be required to participate in any programs for sexual offenders? It’s not clear from what I’ve read whether or not this animal is a repeat offender or not. If he is, that means he’s even worse than we perceive from the description of this rape and subsequent threats. If not, I’ll again ask what is to be gained by a longer sentence than what is proposed by the prosecutor? I don’t expect anything is going to make someone who was violated in this manner feel like enough reciprocity has been extracted. Is there a point where our desire for reciprocity results in consequences that are genuinely useful to the community and beyond which it’s pointless?

    • WSB November 13, 2014 (7:05 pm)

      JTB – I went back to read the court document, regarding his history. It says, “Brown’s criminal history consists of Attempted Burglary 1, Aggravated Assault and Battery on an Office of Juvenile Affairs Employee, Domestic Assault and Battery (crime against child), Obstructing an Officer, Burglary 2, and several failure-to-appear charges from Oklahoma.”

  • JTB November 13, 2014 (8:10 pm)

    Thanks TR. With a record like that, I wonder if a longer period of punishment is going to do much to affect his behavior when he gets out? Sounds to me like he is a beast. I’ll hazard a guess there won’t be much more treatment, therapy, training, etc. if he gets any at all, in 14 years that will be more effective in another 5-10 years. Perhaps if we assume there will be no effective treatment sufficient to get this guy to alter his behavior, to control his violent reactions, then perhaps a case can be made for keeping him in confinement until he is to old and feeble to act out in an aggressive way. I see that more as protecting society than meeting out justice for the rape and beating he committed.

  • Shanon November 13, 2014 (8:26 pm)

    It deeply saddens me, that such a dangerous individual not only has a criminal past, but will be given just a short sentence for attempting MURDER and committing such a gruesome account or rape on a GRANDMOTHER! !! WE try protecting our loved onesc our children and our community, BUT who protects us woman ??? Seems not the government. .. this man was on probation/parole when he committed this crime . He left a GRANDMOTHER, a MOTHER, A SISTER, AUNT, FRIEND A DAUGHTER… FOR DEAD alone naked in her own blood, and then taunted her about killing her family.and 14 years is even being considered? ?? How can we trust justice? How do keep our faith in humanity? If one can commit such evil and our protection or justice system slaps him on the hand and gives him hope at being out and back at it when he is in his 40’s ? And leaving the victim and her family to fear for their lives. I can only hope and pray that this Mr.brown is given life in prison, for many reasons, one: the details in this crime alone deserves the death penalty, two: what about the victim and her family? They need to look over their shoulder for the rest of their time on this planet because of some sick twisted rapist? Three: because im sick of seeing people get more time for selling drugs then physically plotting/causing and creating harm to another human Bing. He didnt just rape her, he taunted, threatening to kill her and her family, he beat her till near death, left her to die in a ditch basically, and stole her dignity along with and hope she had left in her soul ! I hope the judge really looks into this

  • jess November 14, 2014 (8:27 am)

    Praying justice will be seen today. There is so much hate in this monster to do such a hard crime and for a small amount of time would not heal the family Friends and victim in the since justice wasn’t heard.I pray the judge is a woman who will see how this p.o.s. has effected the family and victim in which she still cant eat and has to wonder when he will get out and attack again.

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