CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Murder charge filed in Junction woman’s death

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 25-year-old Solomon D. Whitt with first-degree murder in the death of his roommate, identified by authorities as 41-year-old Jana Layman. As reported by Seattle Police yesterday, Ms. Layman died January 13th, three days after she was taken to the hospital after Whitt claimed she had fallen down the stairs in the Junction home where he lived with her and her two children. He was arrested six days later. The charging documents say he attacked her after she asked him to move out. Prosecutors say Whitt has no criminal history but asked that his bail remain at $2 million because of “the danger he presents to our community.” He remains in jail awaiting arraignment. The charging documents say the defendant and victim met while working in a youth-sports program, and that he moved in a little over a year ago to help with her children. A commenter following our Wednesday report says donations are being accepted via this church website – choose “Jana’s Family Care Fund.”

Mariem January 23, 2020 (10:52 pm)

How horrible. Sending prayers to the children and family.

T Rex January 24, 2020 (8:56 am)

Glad they got him on 1st degree murder, what a complete monster. Those poor children, I hope they have family that can help them heal. And I hope that man rots in hell.

loady January 24, 2020 (9:00 am)

WOW you think you know someone well enough to trust them… “The charging documents say the defendant and victim met while working in a youth-sports program, and that he moved in a little over a year ago to help with her children”Hope the children will be OK.

Airwolf January 24, 2020 (9:13 am)

no words. just in shock. Thanks WSB for providing the donations site,

sooks13 January 24, 2020 (12:51 pm)

You will be missed by many Jana.

Seattlemom January 24, 2020 (1:38 pm)

Rest In Peace mama you will be missed 💗

Friend January 24, 2020 (2:09 pm)

A life cut short that will be missed by many.

AB January 24, 2020 (3:35 pm)

Where can I find the charging documents?

WSB January 24, 2020 (3:43 pm)

They are public records and you can either pay to download them from the Superior Court online system (account required) or I believe you also can go to the courthouse and access paper copies.

Sally January 24, 2020 (5:51 pm)

For those in the community that would like to help support the Ablin in light of this tragic event, please follow this link for various ways to help them. https://hls.hopeseattle.org/support-for-ablin-family/

wssz January 25, 2020 (3:46 am)

I think you mean the Layman family.
- TJ January 25, 2020 (8:25 pm)
  
  The Children’s’ last name is Ablin…

ttt January 24, 2020 (9:37 pm)

So scary and sad. And he helped with a youth sports program…

Michelle Griffith January 24, 2020 (10:57 pm)

No words can express the overwhelming sadness I continue to feel over the death of this sweet giving being -mother, daughter, sister. She will live on in the memories of all that love her and what wonderful memories they are! You are a light and a hope that will keep inspiring so many of us. That is a legacy worth living for. RIP Jana.

Suzanne Krom January 25, 2020 (5:23 am)

It’s so heartening to see our WS community come together to help this sweet family. They are going to need all the help we can give them. Jana’s mother is a dear friend of mine, and all of us are reeling as we try to absorb the shock of losing her — especially under these circumstances. Thank goodness her children will be in a loving home with their grandmother.

Hope February 2, 2020 (4:11 am)

This is so sad. It show that we live in a fallen world. Judges 17:6 says, “everyone did as they saw fit.”We need Jesus. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”