Seattle, WA

In recording, a Seattle police officer joked after woman’s death. He says remarks were misunderstood

Published

1 year ago

September 12, 2023

In recording, a Seattle police officer joked after woman’s death. He says remarks were misunderstood

SEATTLE (AP) — A city watchdog agency is investigating after a body-worn camera captured one Seattle Police Department union leader joking with another following the death of a woman who was struck and killed by a police cruiser as she was crossing a street.

Daniel Auderer, who is the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, responded to the Jan. 23 crash scene where another officer, Kevin Dave, struck and killed Jaahnavi Kadula, 23, in a crosswalk. Dave was driving 74 mph (119 kmh) on the way to an overdose call, and Auderer, a drug recognition expert, was assigned to evaluate whether Dave was impaired, The Seattle Times reported.

Afterward, Auderer left his body-worn camera on as he called guild President Mike Solan to report what happened. In a recording released by the police department Monday, Auderer laughs and suggests that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check.”

“Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway,” Auderer said, inaccurately stating Kandula’s age. “She had limited value.”

The recording did not capture Solan’s remarks.

Neither Auderer nor Solan responded to emails from The Associated Press seeking comment.

However, a conservative talk radio host on KTTH-AM, Jason Rantz, reported that he had obtained a written statement Auderer provided to the city’s Office of Police Accountability. In it, Auderer said that Solan had lamented the death and that his own comments were intended to mimic how the city’s attorneys might try to minimize liability for it.

“I intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers,” Auderer wrote, according to KTTH. “I laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents are litigated and the ridiculousness of how I watched these incidents play out as two parties bargain over a tragedy.”

The station reported that Auderer acknowledged in the statement that anyone listening to his side of the conversation alone “would rightfully believe I was being insensitive to the loss of human life.” The comment was “not made with malice or a hard heart,” he said, but “quite the opposite.”

The case before the Office of Police Accountability was designated as classified. The Associated Press could not immediately verify the details of Auderer’s statement.

The station said Auderer reported himself to the accountability office after realizing his comments had been recorded, because he realized their publicity could harm community trust in the Seattle Police Department.

In a written statement on its online blotter, the department said the video “was identified in the routine course of business by a department employee, who, concerned about the nature of statements heard on that video, appropriately escalated their concerns through their chain of command.” The office of Chief Adrian Diaz referred the matter to the accountability office, the statement said.

It was not immediately clear if both Auderer and the chief’s office had reported the matter to the office, or when Auderer might have done so. Gino Betts Jr., the director of the Office of Police Accountability, told The Seattle Times the investigation began after a police department attorney emailed the office in early August.

Kandula was working toward graduating in December with a master’s degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. After her death, her uncle, Ashok Mandula, of Houston, arranged to send her body to her mother in India.

“The family has nothing to say,” he told The Seattle Times. “Except I wonder if these men’s daughters or granddaughters have value. A life is a life.”

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is conducting a criminal review of the crash.

The controversy over Auderer’s remarks comes as a federal judge this month ended most federal oversight of the police department under a 2012 consent decree that was meant to address concerns about the use of force, community trust and other issues.

Another Seattle police oversight organization, the Community Police Commission, called the audio “heartbreaking and shockingly insensitive.”

“The people of Seattle deserve better from a police department that is charged with fostering trust with the community and ensuring public safety,” the commission’s members said in a joint statement.

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Seattle Seahawks defense comes alive in low-scoring win over Chicago Bears | CNN

Published

8 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks defense comes alive in low-scoring win over Chicago Bears | CNN

CNN
—

The boo birds were loud and clear Thursday night at Soldier Field following the latest Chicago Bears loss.

On a chilly, rainy night in Illinois – the Bears lost to the Seattle Seahawks in a 6-3 defensive struggle between both squads on Thursday Night Football.

Needing a field goal to at least force overtime, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams drove the Chicago offense all the way to the Seattle 40-yard line.

With a field goal attempt out of reach on fourth down, it was up to Williams to convert to keep the Bears alive but things went awry. The 23-year-old No. 1 overall pick was hit as he threw the ball and was intercepted by Seattle cornerback Tariq Woolen, securing the win for the Seahawks.

It was Williams’ first interception in 354 passes, which had been the longest streak by a rookie in NFL history.

All three field goals in the game came in the first half.

Williams finished with 122 yards and the interception, while Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith threw 17-of-23 for 160 yards.

Offense was almost non-existent, but both defenses held firm to keep the game within arm’s reach.

The Seahawks defense sacked Williams seven times to help keep them alive in the NFC playoff picture; NFL.com currently has Seattle with a 15% chance to make the postseason.

In a sign that perhaps Chicago needs to improve its offensive line, Williams has now been sacked 67 times this season. Former Houston Texans quarterback David Carr holds the NFL record for most times sacked with 76 back in 2002.

In the midst of Chicago fans chanting “sell the team,” Seattle signal-caller Smith told the Amazon Prime broadcast that the team “doesn’t care” how they get wins.

“Defense played tremendous,” Smith said. “At this point, we don’t care how we get wins. We just want to win games. I don’t care if it was 5-4. We got the dub. It was a hard fought game. Our defense was lights out.”

Seattle improves to 9-7 on the season and can clinch the NFC West with a bit of help. If the Los Angeles Rams lose on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals and the Seahawks beat LA to close out the regular season, Seattle will win the division and book a ticket to the postseason.

The Bears have now lost 10 straight after starting the season 4-2 and fall to 0-4 under interim head coach Thomas Brown.

Chicago travels to Green Bay to take on the Packers to round out the regular season.

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Judge rules accused carjacker competent, denies bail in Seattle dog walker murder case

Published

16 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Judge rules accused carjacker competent, denies bail in Seattle dog walker murder case

Man accused of killing beloved dog walker found competent

Jahmed Haynes, he man accused of killing a beloved 80-year-old dog walker in Madison Valley, has been found competent.

SEATTLE, Wash. – A judge has found Jahmed Haynes, the man accused of murdering beloved 80-year-old dog walker Ruth Dalton in Madison Valley last August, competent to stand trial. The court’s decision came after months of debate surrounding his mental health and whether he could adequately face the charges against him.

Dalton’s family expressed relief at the court’s ruling, with her granddaughter Melanie Roberts stating, “I’m really relieved that finally through the smoke, the truth was seen, and that he is competent.”

According to court documents, Haynes allegedly carjacked Dalton while she was walking dogs in the neighborhood. He is accused of dragging her with her own car before running her over. Haynes is also charged with animal cruelty for the violent killing of Dalton’s dog, Chico.

Prosecutors presented a Department of Social and Health Services report dated December 24, 2024, which deemed Haynes competent.

“We have a DSHS report which opines he is competent to proceed, so we’re asking your honor to find him competent today,” argued Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Alexandra Logan.

Judge David Keenan ruled Haynes competent as he was present in court in a wheelchair, handcuffed and shackled. However, FOX 13 and other news outlets were not allowed to film his face, as his defense argued the chance to a fair trial, and potential contamination of the jury should his likeness be recorded.

“I do find that identity is an issue in this case,” Keenan said.

No Bail Hold: Extensive Criminal History

Thursday’s competency hearing was just the beginning, as the defense pleaded not guilty and requested Haynes’ bail be set at $50,000. The initial case was set for a ‘no bail’ hold.

Prosecutors argued Haynes’ criminal record includes six felony convictions dating back to 1983, including vehicular homicide and robbery in 1999. Prosecutors also detailed incidents where Haynes assaulted corrections officers at Monroe State Penitentiary in 2005 while serving a prison sentence, it resulted in a 108-month consecutive sentence. These convictions and charges would make this Haynes’ third strike under Washington state’s persistent offender statute, potentially resulting in a life sentence if convicted.

Deputy Prosecutor Brent Kling argued against reducing bail, saying, “His behavior in this case, coupled with his history, coupled with the charges that he is facing now, demonstrate that he is capable of committing incredible acts of violence and that he has a propensity for violence that unquestionably shows that he is a danger to the community.”

“I’m denying bail in this matter given the incredibly violent allegations here, they’re very serious along with the defendant’s previous convictions,” Keenan said.

Family’s Plea for Justice

Melanie Roberts delivered an emotional plea to the court, urging the judge to maintain the no-bail hold.

“I plead with the court to not allow him to prey on us acting victims in the real world. Please continue no-bail hold so my family and our community can rest easier and keep what little peace we have felt in the past four months,” Roberts said.

A small victory for Dalton’s loved ones.

“I’m confident he will be found to be guilty eventually,” Roberts said. “He doesn’t deserve to be on the street. We don’t deserve for him to be on the street to be a menace to the rest of us. He’s not going to be a danger to anyone else’s grandmother or mother, brother, sister, dog, everybody’s safe from him, and it’s huge victory for me and my family and our community and everybody.”

Reflecting on the pain her family has endured, Roberts shared a poignant memory of her grandmother, recounting a recent moment where she saw a double rainbow and felt her grandmother’s presence.

“This is our rain right now. And my rainbow might not be as bright as it used to be, but we’ll still get our rainbow,” Roberts said.

The court’s ruling marks the first significant step toward justice for Dalton’s family.

Dalton’s family vowed to attend every hearing to honor her memory. “If he’s here, I’m here,” Roberts said. “I look forward to justice being all the way served in this matter.”

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Seattle Seahawks Injury Report: Backfield Blow for Seattle

Published

1 day ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks Injury Report: Backfield Blow for Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks head into Thursday night’s road game against the Chicago Bears with three key players officially ruled out, including running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker injured his ankle during the fourth quarter of last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings and was unable to return. After sitting out all practices during the short week, the team confirmed Walker will miss his fifth game of the season, further limiting Seattle’s backfield depth.

Despite Walker’s absence, the Seahawks will have backup running back Zach Charbonnet available. Charbonnet, the team’s second-leading rusher, was initially limited earlier in the week with an elbow injury but fully participated in the final two practices. He saw limited action in Week 16 but is expected to take on a larger workload with Walker sidelined.

Seahawks Week 17 Injury Report — Nov 24, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

In addition to Walker, the Seahawks will also be without tight end Brady Russell and safety K’Von Wallace. Russell has been dealing with a lingering foot injury for most of the second half of the season and will miss his third consecutive game and fifth overall this year. Wallace, who returned to practice earlier this month after being activated from injured reserve, participated fully this week but has not yet been cleared for game action and will remain out for another week.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears will be shorthanded, ruling out four players and listing three others as questionable for the matchup. Among those out is offensive tackle Teven Jenkins, who did not practice this week due to a calf injury. His absence further weakens Chicago’s offensive line, which has already struggled to protect rookie quarterback Caleb Williams this season. Former Seahawk and current Bears running back/special teamer Travis Homer has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury, taking away a key contributor on special teams.