During a hearing in Snohomish County Superior Court Wednesday, Judge Anna Alexander said she needs more time to consider a defense request to reduce bail for 16-year-old Samuel Gizaw, who has been charged as an adult in the July 3 Alderwood Mall shooting that killed 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson of Brier.
The 3 p.m. hearing didn’t get underway until almost 4 p.m. Gizaw’s attorney, Bryan Hershman, argued that images of his client in his jail uniform would unfairly show him in a negative light.
However, Prosecuting Attorney Elise Deschenes and media members present said that images of the suspect had been published in the press before he was identified and during his arraignment hearing.
Judge Alexander agreed that Gizaw, an Edmonds resident, may appear in court in his civilian clothes at future court dates. However, she said there was not enough notification to ban images of the defendant during the Sept. 4 bail hearing.
Gizaw’s lawyer sought to reduce the suspect’s bail from $2 million to $780,000 and proposed a property bond, in which property of equivalent value to the bail bond is given in collateral. In this case, the property is the home belonging to Gizaw’s parents, which, according to Hershman, has its mortgage paid off and is valued at about $1 million.
Deschenes argued that a property bond places an additional burden on the courts. The court would need to put a lien on the property and sell it to collect the bail owed.
Gizaw’s defense said that his client would not place his family in a position where they could lose their home and added that he would be monitored 24 hours a day. Further, several character witnesses testifying Wednesday said that Gizaw was a respectful person.
Hershman said that a group of teens assaulted Gizaw, and he was acting in self-defense, saying that “it was an ambush.”
The prosecution countered that Gizaw’s reaction to being punched was to fire a gun into a group of people. Further, although character witnesses claim he is an outstanding citizen, his school’s resource officer reports the opposite, saying that Gizaw was disrespectful and liked to fight, Deschenes said.
The prosecution provided the judge with several pieces of social media for consideration, including several photos of Gizaw making hand signs with guns. Two guns had extended clips, which the prosecution noted are illegal to own. One photo showed the defendant making hand signs while next to a small child watching cartoons.
In a prepared speech delivered to the judge, Jayda Woods-Johnson’s mother Tabatha Johnson said, “Jayda would have started eighth grade today, but instead, she will always be a seventh grader.”
The hearing ended in recess as the court building closed for the day.
— Story and photos by Rick Sinnett
Lower the bond? He killed a innocent young woman for life…keep the bond the same…the end. If you keep only slapping the wrist of these younger killers you send the message it’s ok to carry guns and use them.
Let’s insist that lawmakers come to their senses and not only make sure the bad guys do serious time, but also take concrete steps to roll back the ridiculous proliferation of easy to acquire military firearms on a national basis.
Yes, lowering the bond is stupid – virtually criminal, if you ask me – but so is a system which has allowed our country to reach a point where there are more firearms sloshing around our country than there are citizens!
The problem needs to be attacked from every angle.
There are not military firearms sloshing around in this nation and except for criminals , firearms are heavily regulated. This perp was breaking the law possessing a pistol and to consider a favorable bail option is plain wrong. Why should he get any extra consideration when he put an innocent young girl in the ground. We don’t have a gun problem, we have a culture problem.
Agreed! Joy Trevino said it best.
I agree with Joy, 100%. A kid who uses a gun and carries a gun is better locked up.
First of all, hats off to very good and thorough reporting.
As much as I hate to say this, (for many obvious reasons), Samuel Gizaw is indeed entitled to a fair trial in a court of law. He deserves that, as everybody does. Yes, that statement may be repulsive to most, especially given these circumstances, however remember we are in America. Our country was founded on these principles, and it’s still true today.
Readers should not be especially upset at his defense attorney’s actions or wranglings. This is what defense attorneys do. It is their job to attempt painting their clients in the best light possible. His attorney would have him parallel to Mother Teresa. There is also a phrase that if you throw enough #2 (sorry if that’s too graphic) against the wall, it will stick. One saving grace. I believe the defense attorney is a private, non-public defender. Hopefully, he (the attorney) is draining the rich family’s pocketbook.
So what can we do? Continue to advocate to our legislators for gun controls, law enforcement funding and stricter penalties. It is an election year. As always, vote and vote carefully.
Finally, to our precious Jayda and her family. Love of everyone is with you, and we hope and pray for justice. I certainly hope this case will somehow be a catalyst, a turning point
Is Judge Anna Alexander, the same judge who let him out initially on bail a day after the shooting, putting all of our community at risk, not to mention putting our law enforcement in possible dangerous situation to go apprehend him a second time.
Could you kindly fix my comment to read trial not trail!?! Thanks! Wish we could edit.
Done
No bail reduction……. He deserves no comforts of home. His victim sure didn’t end her life in comfort. Bars for the rest of his life for the evil punk.