Killer’s sentencing set for Friday
A defendant who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for causing the death of a Bellevue man in 2006 is to be sentenced Friday.
John David Spencer, 27, was accused of killing George Elias Estephan, 30, in a dispute at a house in the 1300 block of 144th Avenue Southeast in June 2006.
According to filings in the case, Spencer, of Cle Elum, had been visiting the house as a potential roommate but got into a fight with Estephan and stabbed him in the neck. Estephan later died at Harborview Medical Center.
Spencer originally was charged with second-degree murder but entered guilty pleas to manslaughter, assault and residential burglary before his trial began in October. Spencer said he had no recollection of the events surrounding Estephan’s death but was entering the guilty pleas because he believed he would be convicted at trial.
He faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, with a standard range under state sentencing guidelines of 77 to 102 months. He is to be sentenced at 1:45 p.m. Friday by King County Superior Court Judge Charles Mertel.
Duvall
State earmarks $3M for Highway 203
Duvall’s Main Street, which is also Highway 203, the main highway through the town, is to receive more than $3 million toward a $4,770,000 project under a state grant awarded last week.
The project, scheduled to be completed next summer, is intended to improve traffic flow, reduce accidents and provide better conditions for pedestrians and vehicles.
The work will include roadway improvements, plus additional stormwater collection, added lighting, landscaping and street furniture, and reconstructing some water and sewer systems.
Bothell
Highway 527 focus of Dec. 5 open house
Bothell is seeking public comment about changes along Highway 527, the Bothell-Everett Highway. An open house about the work will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Country Village Courtyard Hall, 23718 Bothell-Everett Highway.
The work centers on improvements between 240th and 228th streets Southeast, where the roadway presently consists of two travel lanes and intermittent sidewalks.
The project will install four travel lanes, a center turn lane, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, landscaping and other amenities. The $8.3 million project is almost entirely funded through federal grants, with construction to begin in spring 2009.
More information is available online at www.ci.bothell.wa.us or from Rosalie Wu, project manager, at 425-486-2768 or by e-mail to rosalie.wu@ci.bothell.wa.us.
Bellevue
Public’s views part of reaccreditation
Bellevue residents can comment on the city police department next month as part of the department’s reaccreditation process.
Officials from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will be in town Dec. 3 to review the department. They will take comments from residents and employees at a public information session at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E.
Telephone comments may be made from 1 to 5 p.m. that day at 425-452-2566. Comments also may be made by writing to the commission at 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, Va. 22030-2201.
The accreditation process includes reviewing the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.
A copy of the standards used in the process is available from Officer Greg Grannis, department public-information officer, at City Hall or by calling 425-452-4129.
Seattle Times Eastside bureau