Patricia Murphy

Pierce County Judge Says Boarding The Mentally Ill In ERs Violates State And Federal Law

Patricia Murphy — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:02:14 +0000

A Pierce County Superior Court judge said Monday that temporarily boarding the mentally ill in hospital emergency rooms without treatment violates state and federal law. County and state attorneys have asked for the ruling to be put on hold while they appeal.

The Constitutional Question Of Sobriety Checkpoints In Washington State

Patricia Murphy — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:36:04 +0000

Correction: The broadcast version of this story states that the Fourth Amendment protects against illegal search and seizure, when in fact it protects against unreasonable search and seizure.

Washington’s lawmakers are debating new penalties for driving under the influence during a special legislative session beginning Monday.

Washington Senator Patty Murray Introduces Bill To Combat Military Assault

Patricia Murphy — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:56:11 +0000

The latest report on military sexual assault from the Department of Defense shows a sharp increase in assaults from previous years. For fiscal 2011, the military estimated there were 19,000 cases of sexual assault, while 3,192 cases were reported. In fiscal 2012, the estimate spiked to 26,000 cases, with just 3,374 cases reported. The estimates are based on surveys given by the DoD to military service members.

DUI: The Challenge Of Repeat Offenders

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:52:41 +0000

After 20 years in the business, Lenny Padayao has seen it many times: Alcoholics gaming the system to avoid addressing their disease. “The alcoholic, they’ll do everything they’re required to do by cheating,” he says. “You have to keen in on these guys, because if you don’t you’ll never catch them.”

DUI Monitoring And Enforcement: An Imperfect System

Patricia Murphy — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:50:07 +0000

Washington state lawmakers are poised to impose tougher laws against drivers caught driving drunk. They were moved to action following two fatal crashes involving drivers with previous DUIs.

Emotional Meeting Over Bellevue SWAT Team Shooting

Patricia Murphy — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:55:51 +0000

Last month a SWAT team from Bellevue arrived around 5:00 a.m. in a Columbia City neighborhood to serve a warrant for a suspect. As the dramatic scene unfolded the suspect, Russell Smith, was shot and killed by three Bellevue police officers. Now neighbors want answers about what happened.

South Seattle Neighbors Want Answers About Police Action

Patricia Murphy — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:52:12 +0000

On March 22, 2013, around 5:00 a.m., a SWAT team from the Bellevue Police Department showed up at a tiny dead-end street in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood. They were there to arrest a suspect on a warrant for robbery.

Things did not go smoothly.

Army Surgeon General Suspends Trust Enhancement Program Following Investigation

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:56:34 +0000

Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of the program director, Claudette Elliott.

The Army has suspended the Trust and Enhancement Sustainment Task Force, a program that was created to help improve patient care by building on trust. Documents from the investigation obtained by KUOW show that investigators found the task force lacked the structure and employee training standards needed to execute its mission.

Militia Group Allegedly Formed By Washington State Soldier

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:07:04 +0000

A solider from Washington state has been charged with murder in the death of his pregnant wife. Prosecutors also say Pvt. Isaac Aguigui of Cashmere, Wash., is the ringleader of an anti-government militia group that plotted to overthrow the government and poison apple crops in Washington state.

Help For Families Who Struggle With Addicts

Patricia Murphy — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:26:03 +0000

The defendant charged in the recent death of two pedestrians in Seattle’s Wedgewood neighborhood has faced DUIs in the past. Like thousands of other families, Mark Mullan's family has struggle with his addiction.