Update: Final defendant in Steve Bushaw murder pleads guilty to manslaughter

The last defendant in the case of the February 2009 murder of lifelong West Seattleite Steve Bushaw (right) will NOT be going to trial after all – he pleaded guilty today. A status hearing was scheduled for Brandon Chaney, the only one of four original defendants who had not either pleaded guilty or been convicted (a jury deadlocked on his fate during the double trial last summer that resulted in Bryce Huber‘s conviction). We just checked on the court files, and there’s a document filed that says:

This cause comes before the Court for change of plea.

State’s motion to amend information to Count I, Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree with Firearm, and Count II, Felony Rendering Criminal Assistance in the 1st Degree.

Motion is granted.

The Court signs Order Permitting Filing of Amended Information. The Second Amended Information is filed.

Defendant is arraigned on Second Amended Information, and enters a plea of guilty. The Court inquires of Defendant, and accepts the plea. Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty is executed. Sentencing date is set for May 10, 2012 at 8:45 a.m.

Chaney was described as the getaway driver; he was tried last summer along with Huber, who was described as the person who planned the murder. The two men who shot at Bushaw in The Junction the night he was killed, John Sylve and Danny O’Neal, both pleaded guilty to murder. More to come.

10:26 PM NOTE: No further documents in the case have been available tonight, but we’re hoping to get them tomorrow, to find out more about the recommended sentence, for starters. (Huber was sentenced to 31 years; O’Neal, to 15 years; Sylve, to 20 years.) We’ll publish a separate followup when we know more.

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB they’re asking for a 70-month sentence for Chaney – that’s five years and 10 months. KCPAO also provided a court document that was not available online when we published our first report last night – it includes Chaney’s statement that “I caused the death of Steve Bushaw, by criminal negligence, I was failing to be aware of the substantial risk that death may occur because of the others’ actions and words. They were armed with pistols … Also I prevented/hindered/delayed the discovery and/or apprehension of the others – whom I knew had committed murder … by transporting them and concealing weapons.”

According to court documents, Chaney was present during the home-invasion robbery two weeks before the murder that was central to the murder motive. The victim sold marijuana, in addition to working as a longshoreman, and the home-invasion robbery happened at the home of his supplier. The robbers were said to have been on the phone with someone during the robbery, and the robbery victim believed it was Bushaw, and that he had orchestrated the home-invasion robbery. However, he was never arrested or charged, and as the case unfolded – the arrests came 10 months after the murder – police said Bushaw had not even been a suspect.

rats May 3, 2012 (6:24 pm)

Wishing you peace: Mrs. B, Steve’s friends, and family.

mardingo May 3, 2012 (6:43 pm)

Miss you Steve.

A May 3, 2012 (9:54 pm)

Over 3 years later and it looks like this will finally come to an end in the judicial system anyway. Glad to see he plead guilty although it was to a lesser charge. With time served this guy will probably be out on the streets in 5 years or less. Scary thought to think this thug will be free to cause harm to someone else in the not too distant future. We need harsher sentences for these ruthless murderers. I’m for building more prisons if it means keeping guys like these locked away for decades if not life. All of these guys involved will be free before steve would have turned 50 maybe even 40 if they get paroled. That doesn’t seem fair to me. We love you and miss you steve!

kc May 3, 2012 (10:01 pm)

The night after I said that those responsible would be found and held accountable for this senseless act, and they have. While that fact will never bring Steve back it goes the show that as many people will say our system is so screwed up, JUSTICE PREVAILED this time!

May Steve and his family find comfort in the arms of the ANGELS!

soccer mom May 4, 2012 (10:55 am)

God Bless the Bushaw family. I hope in some way this brings some closure for them, though nothing will ever bring Steve back. This crime was absolutely senseless. Rest In Peace, Steve…I still have many memories of your fantastic skills on the soccer field.

WSB May 4, 2012 (11:23 am)

Adding a bit of new information received from prosecutors today: They are recommending a 70-month sentence for Chaney (five years, 10 months) – TR

tlr May 9, 2012 (12:08 pm)

From King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Prosecutor.aspx:

Guilty plea in 2009 West Seattle homicide–The last of four defendants charged in the 2009 shooting death of Steve Bushaw pleaded guilty yesterday. Brandon Chaney, 33, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter Second Degree (Firearm Enhancement) and Felony Rendering Criminal Assistance First Degree. Chaney was tried last summer, but a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The same jury found co-defendant Bryce N. Huber, 30, guilty of Murder First Degree with a Firearm Enhancement for his role in planning the murder. Huber was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Gunmen John K. Sylve, 34, and Danny E. O’Neal, Jr., 30, pleaded guilty in 2011 to Murder Second Degree with a Firearm Enhancement. Sylve was sentenced to 20 years, and O’Neal 15 years. Sylve and O’Neal shot Bushaw outside a West Seattle restaurant in February 2009 to avenge a robbery at the home of a drug dealer. The men mistakenly believed Bushaw was involved. Chaney drove Sylve and O’Neal to and away from the crime scene. Chaney’s sentence range is 5 years to just under 6 years in prison. Prosecutors will recommend a top of the range sentence. Chaney will be sentenced on May 10 at 8:45 a.m. before Judge Joan DuBuque at the King County Courthouse.