CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Charges filed against boathouse-burglary suspect

| Crime | West Seattle news

(March 22nd WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli – SFD units that responded for post-burglary rescue)

Eight days ago, we were first to report that the man pulled from the Duwamish River after allegedly breaking into a boathouse and attacking someone had been set free on personal recognizance, no charges filed, because, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told us, police hadn’t referred the case. Late today, we got word the KCPAO has filed a charge against the suspect, 44-year-old Admiral resident Paul D. Story. The charge comes with an arrest warrant/summons carrying built-in bail of $100,000. Story is charged with first-degree burglary, a charge that incorporates the alleged assault on the man who found him in the boathouse, eating someone’s food. The charging documents say Story maced and hit the victim, who tried to defend himself by picking up a pipe and swinging it at Story, who then jumped into the water and swam under the boathouse. Police and rescuers spent 45 minutes trying to get him out of the life-threateningly cold water before finally cutting a hole in the bottom of the boathouse and pulling him out. Charging documents say Story has been booked into jail 23 times in the past 24 years, but only has one felony conviction, for possession of heroin. Whether he is re-arrested in the meantime or not, he is officially ordered to appear in court April 17th to answer the charge.

KT April 4, 2017 (7:59 pm)

1) What is the problem with SPD that it took so long to refer the case that the guy was booted out of jail and 2) who wants to start a pool on whether he shows up for court?

anonymous April 4, 2017 (9:10 pm)

23 times? Wow, everyone deserves a 2nd chance right?

Kinda nuts April 4, 2017 (9:43 pm)

Released on personal recognizance when having been jailed 23 times? This time was an attempt to do physical harm and now he’s out…with a felony warrant?

We have to get better at this. Letting dangerous, repeat offenders go free while we figure out the details is a sign of a broken process. If someone maces me after breaking into my house, I want them in jail awaiting charges.

CAM April 5, 2017 (12:52 am)

Based on the available information he was released without bail because he had no charges at that time and we have laws in this country that prevent any person from being indefinitely detained without cause. They have now issued a bail amount and a charge which prevents him from being released on personal recognizance when he is back in custody. Those same laws you malign protect you as well.
- flimflam April 5, 2017 (5:52 am)
  
  detained without cause? he attacked someone….
  - CAM April 5, 2017 (10:54 am)
    
    Indefinitely detained. Please read the entire sentence. At some point they have to either charge you with a crime or release you. For whatever reason they were unprepared to charge this man with a crime within the time limit. If you are upset that is what you should be asking questions about, rather than suggesting constitutional rights are suspended on a case by case basis judged solely on how many people have their pitchforks out that day.

GetaLifeCrooks April 4, 2017 (10:33 pm)

What a joke! This city is going down the tubes !!

wetone April 5, 2017 (10:27 am)

Arrested 23 times in King county, more elsewhere ? I am very surprised not more charges in this case, as suspect would not come out from under boathouse along with moving around to avoiding capture spending nearly 1 hour in water. Paul D. Story seems to have someone watching over him. City says crime is down in this town I say BS. Lived here long time I know better. It’s all in the way city records, categorizes and if no charges then no crime. This case is perfect example, if city was not pressured for answers by some and some air time, case most likely would of been swept under carpet and no crime committed. Seen all to often these days.

42ndMom April 5, 2017 (11:07 am)

He is officially ordered to appear in court on the 17th. I’m sure that will happen. Everything that happened in the boat house could have been waaaaaaaaay worse. Thank goodness it wasn’t. Now this guy has a chance to harm someone else or steal someone else’s things. This guy should not be on the street. He should be in jail. And now, he is on the streets and very close to our community and will most likely re-offend.

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