information from King County Prosecuting Attorney's office

Regarding the press release this morning from Des Moines Police, King County prosecutors share the police chief’s concerns about the release of armed carjacking suspects, which is why we argued for suspects in this case to be held in detention. 

Unfortunately, multiple suspects were released over prosecutors’ objection.

Prosecutors’ objection to release is not noted in the police press release.

Some important notes:

• Prosecutors appreciate the work of Des Moines Police to make these arrests and get us the case information we presented to judges in our arguments for detention.

• King County prosecutors argued that the adult suspect should be held on $100,000 bail because of the danger to the community, but he was released by a judge over prosecutors’ objection. 

• Two of the other suspects were released over the objection of King County prosecutors, who argued that they should be held in juvenile detention.

• The juvenile probation counselor recommended that the fourth suspect, a 16-year-old, be released to his family. King County prosecutors argued for electronic home detention.

• The documents submitted by police for the court appearances of all four suspects checked “no” in the “law enforcement object to release” section. Defense was aware of this, and it was considered by judges as a counterpoint against prosecutors’ argument to hold suspects in secure detention. We have previously shared with police the importance of this section and objecting to release.

• None of these cases were sent by prosecutors to diversion programs. Prosecutors also did not decline the cases.

First suspect: Laquarious M. Webb

At Mr. Webb’s first appearance on 10/31, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that he should be held on $100,000 bail because he’s a danger to the community. We also sought probable cause for two counts of Robbery in the First Degree. If a judge agreed, the suspect would be held for 72 hours while police investigators worked on the documents required by law for a felony charging decision. A judge released Mr. Webb from custody over the objection of King County prosecutors.

The first appearance document written by police and presented in court by the KCPAO is attached. Police did not object to his release in the first appearance document. That was considered by the judge as a counterpoint against prosecutors’ argument to hold the suspect in secure detention.

The documents required for a charging decision were received Nov. 1. That’s routine – additional documents in all types of cases are referred after a first appearance hearing (which is part of why we argue for detention). Even though Mr. Webb was released by a judge over prosecutors’ objection, we can still file charges with the additional documents sent by police on Tuesday.

No other cases involving the suspect have been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. This was not sent to diversion.

Second suspect: a 17-year-old male

The second suspect was a 17-year-old whose first appearance hearing was under King County cause number 22-0-01476-1. Police did not object to his release in the first appearance document. The teen’s family was present, and the juvenile probational counselor wanted the teen released to his parents. King County prosecutors argued for the teen to be held in detention, and he was released on electronic home monitoring over prosecutors’ objections. Prosecutors received additional documents from police Tuesday after the first appearance and expect a charging decision Wednesday.

This was not sent to diversion. No other cases involving the suspect have been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Third suspect: another 17-year-old male

The third suspect is another 17-year-old whose first appearance hearing was under King County cause number 22-0-01477-9. Police did not object to his release on the first appearance document. King County prosecutors argued that the 17-year-old be held in detention. He was released over prosecutors’ objection to electronic home monitoring, which is what a juvenile probation counselor requested. The KCPAO’s argument to hold the suspect in detention is outlined in cause number 22-0-01477-9. We anticipate receiving this case from police for a charging decision.

This was not sent to diversion. No other cases involving the suspect have been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Fourth suspect: 16-year-old male

The fourth suspect is a 16-year-old whose first appearance hearing was under King County cause number 22-0-01478-7. Police did not object to his release on the first appearance document. The juvenile probation counselor on the case wanted the teen released to his family. Prosecutors argued for electronic home monitoring, which the judge ordered. Prosecutors received additional documents from police Tuesday after the first appearance and expect a charging decision Wednesday. 

This was not sent to diversion. No other cases involving the suspect have been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.