Law And Courts

Law & Courts

Auburn cop convicted of murder won’t get new trial, judge rules

A Seattle-area cop found guilty of murder won't get a retrial, a King County Superior Court judge ruled on Friday. Auburn police officer Jeffrey Nelson, 46, was convicted in June of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the 2019 killing of 26-year-old Jesse Sarey.

Law & Courts

Washington families seek jail improvements, one settlement at a time

In a new legal settlement finalized Dec. 4, commissioners for Klickitat County in south-central Washington have committed to broad changes intended to improve medical care in jail and prevent suicides.

Politics

Washington voters approved a natural gas initiative. Lawsuit wants to blow it up

Activists say the initiative misled voters. Backers say this lawsuit subverts the voters' will.

Law & Courts

Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies

A major U.S. Supreme Court decision this summer was hailed as a conservative court’s broadside against a Democratic administration, giving red states more backing to delay or overturn policies they don’t like, such as transgender protections and clean energy goals.

Race & Identity

Seattle area immigration advocates take stock for second Trump administration

Immigration advocates in King County have been preparing for months for a potential legal fight with the federal government. A second Trump administration is set to take control of the White House in January, and with it comes promises of far-reaching changes to immigration policy.

Law & Courts

15-year-old accused of killing his Fall City family tried to frame brother, investigators say

Investigators with the King County Sheriff’s Office accuse a 15-year-old juvenile of shooting everyone in his immediate family at their home in Fall City on Monday, killing five out of six family members. They say the teen also attempted to “stage” the scene and blame his 13-year-old brother, telling dispatchers that the 13-year-old had fired on others and then committed suicide.

SPD's on track for release from federal oversight despite flawed police contract, judge says

At a hearing Wednesday, the federal judge overseeing policing in Seattle made clear he’s disappointed with the city’s latest police contract. But he offered praise for improved practices at SPD as well.

Law & Courts

King County Sheriff’s lawsuit over Burien camping ban thrown out by federal judge

This week a federal judge in Seattle dismissed the King County Sheriff’s lawsuit over a homeless camping ban in the city of Burien, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision supporting the rights of cities to enact those restrictions. It’s the latest step in a standoff between the sheriff and leaders of the city southwest of Seattle, over their attempts to restrict homeless encampments.