Prosecutors want Fall City teen accused of killing his family moved to adult court

KING COUNTY, Wash. King County Prosecutor’s Office continues investigation Take the case of 15-year-old boy accused of murdering his family to adult court.

The teen appeared in juvenile court Friday afternoon, and prosecutors formally requested that the case be moved to the adult court system, but it will ultimately be up to the judge to decide whether that happens.

“This process takes months in any case; the judge will have multiple opportunities to hear from prosecutors and the defense before making a final decision,” KCPAO spokesman Casey McNerthney said.

The hearing to decide whether the case will go to adult court will be held on June 4, 2025.

on thursday, The teenager was charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder.

Charging documents allege the teen shot all six of his family members in the early morning hours of Monday at their home on Lake Alice Road near Fall City.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified those killed in the shooting as 7-year-old Katheryn Humiston, 9-year-old Joshua Humiston, 13-year-old Benjamin Humiston and their parents, 43-year-old Mark Humiston and 42-year-old Sarah Humiston.

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The 11-year-old girl escaped being shot and after escaping through the window, ran to her neighbor’s house and asked for help. According to the police report, the 11-year-old boy told police that his 15-year-old brother killed the family.

According to charging documents, the 15-year-old suspect went to another neighbor’s house and called 911, claiming that his 13-year-old brother Benjamin was the one who killed the family.

Sheriff’s investigators allege the 15-year-old set up the scene and later tried to frame his brother for the incident.

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According to the sheriff’s report, the 15-year-old was the only child who knew the combination to the lockbox of the Glock pistol stored in the family’s home.

King County Department of Public Defender attorneys are representing the 15-year-old.

Defense attorney Amy Parker said in a statement that the only evidence presented to them by the sheriff’s office and prosecutors was a 3.5-page probable cause statement.

Given the media attention on this case and the seriousness of the charges, we want the court to know that many people in the community who know our client have reached out and confirmed his good character. He was described by them as kind and caring. This is a kid who has lots of friends, has pro-social interests, and contributes positively to his community. However, we are not currently addressing the issue of broadcasting. “We want the court to know this information because the only information the court has at this time is the acknowledgment of probable cause and charging documents.”

Earlier this week, Judge Joe Campagna issues an order banning the media from publishing the 15-year-old’s name.

Prosecutors said the decision on whether to move the case to adult court would have significant impacts on potential sentencing.

“If convicted of the charges in adult court, the sentence imposed by state lawmakers is 25 years to life in prison with presumption of release after 25 years,” McNerthney said. he said. “The state’s Indeterminate Sentence Review Board makes the release decision. If the decision remains in juvenile court, the 15-year-old can only be held without further sanction until age 25 (less than 10 years from now).”

The teen will be held in secure custody at the King County Juvenile and Family Justice Center.