Man faces three charges in Seattle for car theft and assault

SEATTLE – Jahmed Kamal Haynes, 48, has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree assault and first-degree cruelty to animals in connection with a violent attack that resulted in the deaths of an 80-year-old woman and her dog.

According to court documents, Haynes approached Ruth Dalton's SUV in the Madison Valley neighborhood on Tuesday morning and forcibly dragged her from the vehicle while armed with a knife. Witnesses reported that Dalton was pushed out of the car and dragged by it before Haynes gained control and fled the scene.

Later that day, Seattle police found the stolen SUV about 20 minutes away near Brighton Playfield. Dalton's dog was also found stabbed and his body dumped in the park.

Haynes was arrested the day after the brutal attack. Police identified him as a suspect based on a fingerprint on Dalton's phone and witness descriptions.

Haynes, who has an extensive criminal record including convictions for involuntary manslaughter, robbery and assault, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. His previous convictions include:

• Road traffic fatalities (1993): In that case, Haynes crashed his vehicle into several cars, killing another driver who was thrown more than 100 feet. His blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was recorded at 0.12%. He served only 17 months.
• Robbery and car theft (1999): Haynes robbed a Safeway in Renton with an air rifle and stole a car, which he wrecked while fleeing.
• Assault and escape from prison (2003): While serving his sentence for robbery, Haynes attacked two correctional officers with a sharpened metal object, which led to additional charges and a 15-year prison sentence.

Despite Haynes' extensive criminal history, which includes eight felony convictions, he has not faced any significant legal consequences in recent years. The King County District Attorney's Office confirmed that the last case involving Haynes in King County was over 25 years ago.

The King County District Attorney's Office requested that Haynes be held without bail, and the court granted the request. Prosecutors argued that Haynes poses a significant danger to the community.

Questions have been raised about why Haynes, who has an extensive criminal record, was not earlier tried under Washington state's Three Strikes Law, which carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole for repeat offenders of serious crimes.

Prosecutors explained that under state law, only certain violent crimes are considered violations of the Persistent Offender Accountability Act, while property crimes or less serious offenses do not count toward the violation count.

Prosecutors made clear that sentencing is ultimately made by judges, not prosecutors, and the severity of punishments is influenced by the specific details of each case and the offender's criminal history.

The sentences for the charges Haynes faces could vary: first-degree murder is a Class A felony, second-degree assault is a Class B felony, and first-degree cruelty to animals is a Class C felony.

Haynes will remain in jail until his next court date on September 5, when he will enter his initial plea.

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