This week, CHS included court updates in the Ruth Dalton murder case as her Madison Park neighborhood marked the one-year anniversary of her death with a gathering and memorial plaque overlooking Lake Washington. Here are updates on two other 2024 area homicide cases.

• Homeless ax murders: Under a July court order, Liam Kryger is being treated at Western State Hospital as officials work to restore his mental competency to stand trial. CHS reported here in May 2024 as Kryger was charged in the murders of two sleeping homeless men killed in late night attacks on area streets. Prosecutors say mobile phone and video evidence shows Kryger carrying an ax behind the office building of the Seattle Men’s Chorus where 68-year-old Paul Ewell was found murdered early on February 10th. Prosecutors allege Kryger killed again less than two weeks later when he murdered 52-year-old Daravuth Van with an ax as he camped near First Hill’s Town Hall event venue. Kryger was found unfit to stand trial and understand the charges against him. Court orders include a 90-day restoration effort at Western and authorizing “involuntary medications.”
• Capitol Hill Station murder: The man charged with murder in the May 2024 stabbing of Capitol Hill chef Corey Bellett during a fight on the Capitol Hill Station light rail platform remains jailed as court proceedings continue. Attorneys for Shawn Patrick Moore argued earlier this year that the case should be dismissed over allegations Seattle Police detectives had violated the defendant’s rights to an attorney during initial questioning in the case. The court has allowed the prosecution to continue but granted Moore’s request for new counsel. The most recent planned trial date is October but the proceedings have already been continued multiple times. Following the attack, Sound Transit security video revealed some details of the altercation that led to the deadly clash in which prosecutors say Moore killed Bellett in a fight over a run-in on the escalator that grew into a brawl on the light rail platform. Bellett, a 37-year-old restaurant worker on his way home after a Saturday brunch shift at Capitol Hill’s Harry’s Fine Foods, was remembered during a fundraiser at the Bellevue Ave restaurant.

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