West Seattle, Washington
28 Tuesday
Another traffic alert for your calendar – the next westbound shutdowns of the Spokane Street Viaduct (the West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5). Just in from SDOT:
The contractor working to widen the Spokane Street Viaduct will close the structure’s westbound lanes just west of I-5 for three nights: September 7, 8 and 9. To complete necessary work, crews will also close First Avenue S at S Spokane Street overnight from September 6 through 10. Details are as follows:
• Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closed September 7, 8 and 9
10 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning• First Avenue S at S Spokane Street closed September 6 – 10
9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning – September 6 & 10
11 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning – September 7-9During the viaduct work, southbound I-5 traffic will be directed to the S Forest Street exit to access surface streets. Northbound I-5 traffic and westbound traffic from Columbian Way will be detoured to surface streets at 6th Avenue South. Motorists can still use southbound SR-99 to access West Seattle.
As we reported on Monday, the new 1st Avenue South on/off ramp, which is part of this project, will not be open before the 9-day Alaskan Way Viaduct shutdown Oct. 21-31, but SDOT says it should be open “by the end of the year.”
(Thanks to Amanda for sharing photo taken by Kelby)
11:20 AM: Big response to Bridge Park in 3200 block of SW Morgan, but scanner indicates it’s an air conditioning problem. On our way to doublecheck.
11:30 AM: All’s well – last fire truck left as we arrived.
This could cause some backups, even on a Saturday, so here’s the heads-up from SDOT:
On Saturday, September 3, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be removing and repairing expansion joints on the Alaskan Way Viaduct southbound. They will be working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Extension where the roadway increases from two to three lanes near S Hanford Street. In order to accomplish the work, the SDOT crew will move from left to right closing two of the three lanes at a time. Motorists should expect to slow down and be prepared to shift lanes as they pass by the work zone.
That’s a look at the crowd from last Thursday’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show (Caspar Babypants, with concertgoers including Conan O’Brien) – tonight’s the final show of the season, the hot-and-getting-hotter Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, and we recommend getting there early to stake out your (free!) spot on the grass. One more reminder: BRING DIAPERS for WestSide Baby – give them to the series-presenting Admiral Neighborhood Association, and you’ll get a Popsicle treat in return! Showtime is 6:30 pm; don’t miss your final chance to be part of the summer’s biggest concert series, with a West Seattle-based rising star ready to play for you. Walk/bus/bicycle if you can (joined West Seattle In Motion yet?); parking alongside the lawn (which borders Walnut) can be tough. There’s usually room in the West Seattle High School lot next door, but they’re having an event tonight too (for freshmen).
We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Anthony Haroldlee Smith has just appeared for arraignment in the August 16th murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi, shot early that morning at 15th/Roxbury (original White Center Now coverage here). Our video above (shot through the glass that separates the gallery from the judge/lawyer areas of this particular courtroom) shows the brief hearing in its entirety, after Judge Ronald Kessler denied Smith’s lawyer’s request to keep the media from photographing his face, ending before witness names were mentioned in terms of a no-contact order. Smith only spoke to acknowledge his identity; his lawyer formally entered the plea of “not guilty.” Media reps (TV and radio were also here) were asked by an advocate not to photograph the two members of Sweetheart’s family who came to watch the hearing. Smith remains in jail in lieu of one million dollars bail.
(Added 10 am: Photo booth at Chief Sealth IHS, taking student photos during orientations today)
A few highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
ORIENTATION AT CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: 9-noon today, 10th-12th graders have drop-in orientation; 1-4 pm, 9th graders.
FRESHMAN FAMILY NIGHT AT WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: 5:30-7:30 pm in the WSHS Commons.
MS. AND MR. FIX-ITS WELCOME: The Fixers’ Collective @ the West Seattle Tool Library (east side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 – 8 pm. A Fixers’ Collective is a group of folks who love to fix and mend things, which could be any old thing from broken blenders to ripped sweaters to antique dentist drills. Take it apart, put it back together, figure out how it works, refuse to throw it away, and get to know others who do the same! Join us if you are interested in prolonging the life of the things you own, learning how things work, saving a few resources, or if you just love to tinker.
JEWELRY RECEPTION AT CLICK! At Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), Sarah Loertscher jewelry, 6-9 pm opening reception for prints, drawings and installation pieces.
FINAL ‘SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA’ SHOW: 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha, Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, bring diapers for WestSide Baby and get a Popsicle treat in return, courtesy of the series-presenting Admiral Neighborhood Association! Concert’s free, bring your own blanket/chair.
WINE DINNER: Bin 41 wine shop from The Junction presents a wine dinner at Via Tribunali at 7 pm. Join Italian winemaker Antonio Sanguinetti for a 5-course meal with wine pairings at Via Tribunali in Georgetown, all for $55 per person not including tax and gratuity. To RSVP for this special wine dinner, contact the restaurant at faith@viatribunali.com or contact Bin 41.
PLANT LECTURE: West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler speaks at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture at 7 tonight, . Full details here.
TONIGHT AT KENYON HALL: New York bassist Jay Leonhart performs at 7:30 pmtonight. KH says, “His signature act ‘It’s Impossible to Sing and Play the Bass’ will leave you marveling at his wit, his honesty, and his ability to lampoon those public figures whose hypocrisy begs to be skewered.” Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, & high school students are $5. Preschool children are free, and Root Beer Floats are still only a buck. To make a reservation, e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.
Under a tree west of Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, in the evening sunlight, he began …
The painter is Bosshiko, one of the visiting artists from Japan whose informal Alki performance tonight was noted here in this morning’s “West Seattle Wednesday” preview. Allan, who tipped us to all this, explained that Bosshiko is renowned on the other side of the Pacific for his live-painting. With a canvas of Japanese washi paper, and black sumi ink, he painted with an audience:
He progressed:
And we rolled video on his brushstrokes as he approached the finish (his specialty is 30-minute “live-paintings,” but unfortunately we didn’t clock him):
His next stop is New York, for an exhibition, according to his Facebook page.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct – its past, present, future – is serious business. And yet sometimes, with the votes, the closures, the traffic, the killer-quake simulation … you might have to laugh, or else you’d cry. So in case you haven’t already seen this on the WSB Facebook page, we’re sharing it here too:
Recent West Seattle arrival Mike S. (from the UK) made the mini-mashup, explaining, “I was really impressed with the video produced by WSDOT showing how the commute into Seattle would look after the nine-day closure. However, I still felt it could be improved – with the addition of Super Mario, in his Mario Kart – so I made some modifications.” (The original is linked from our Monday coverage of the WSDOT announcement about the October 21-31 construction closure.)
ADDED 12:54 PM THURSDAY: Mike wondered what WSDOT would think. They don’t seem to mind – according to this tweet!
One week till the first day of school for Seattle Public Schools (some independent schools start earlier), and this gathering in Westwood tonight was good news for local students whose families can’t afford school supplies – it was the annual Pencil Me In For Kids sorting party.
Rotary Club of West Seattle president Sue Lindblom, Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) owner and longtime PMIFK ringleader, says “Rotarians and friends who signed up to help us sort out those school supplies” planned a potluck barbecue after the work was done. Tomorrow, the supplies get delivered to a pickup site, and this year, PMIFK got extra help, Sue says: “West Seattle Helpline donated money and 100 extra backpacks they had!” PMIFK also will benefit from raffles at the upcoming West Seattle Junction Car Show on September 18th, organizer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design has announced.
P.S. One more note from Sue: “There have been many shifts in Family Support Workers over the years and this year we were not able to get responses from two schools that usually receive some of these supplies. We are hoping if they still are in need they will contact us. Those two schools are Alki and Concord.” PMIFK contact info can be found here.
Three updates from The Junction this afternoon:
NEW PAINT: Thanks to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems for the photo of a crew applying new paint to the long-beige building where he and several other businesses are headquartered – the one with the breezeway, south of the old liquor store. Speaking of which:
VAIN MOVING INTO OLD LIQUOR STORE: We’ve already reported that The Beer Junction is taking part of the old state liquor store space in the 4500 block of California SW 
(open since the liquor store’s new location is now in business). This afternoon, we know who else is moving in – VAIN salon/boutique will open its third Seattle location there (it’s already downtown and in Ballard). Its news release says this is a homecoming for VAIN founder Victoria Ptak, who lives in West Seattle. Read the news release in full, with more details, here. Victoria also sent a note, saying, “The building will be undergoing a major rehab in the next few weeks. We will be starting work on our portion of the building starting October 1st with the goal of being open winter-ish. As a resident and huge fan of West Seattle I am excited for the opportunity to join such an active community! There are so many great businesses, community activists and fun neighborhood happenings, I look forward to bringing what we can to the mix.”
‘EXPERIENCE JUNCTION LOVE’: Just because our abbreviated summer is ending, don’t retreat into your shell – “experience Junction love”! 
It’s the new campaign just announced by the West Seattle Junction Association, whose website mentions some of the things just waiting for your love (and patronage). The campaign will spotlight a new theme each month – read on for a sneak peek:Read More
(Photo added 7:17 pm: Vera and daughter Johanna)>
3:12 PM: Looks like tonight’s support rally may turn into a victory party. Just received from Bank of America, and confirmed by someone who answered the phone at Village Green Perennial Nursery (Vera was not available):
I wanted to make you aware of a final decision in regards to Vera Johnson’s mortgage modification.
As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification.
We are pleased to be able to offer her this permanent modification that should allow her to stay in her home and keep her business.
Britney W. Sheehan
Media Relations
Again, as previewed here this morning, the 5-9 pm event tonight is at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW
5:32 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Vera at the event. She says that B of A announced this so quickly after calling her, she hasn’t seen paperwork yet, and nothing’s final till it’s final.
ADDED 7:20 PM: Here’s our brief chat with her, on video:
And the party/rally at Big Al’s continues – with more signs of community generosity – In addition to the list mentioned in our morning preview, Delgado’s Upholstery donated a chair:
The event continues till 9 pm.
THURSDAY MORNING NOTE: A detailed story on the party is on our partner site, White Center Now.
(Photo taken this morning by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
With the next rainy season right around the corner, a drilling crew was sighted in the Beach Drive slide zone last week, and several people e-mailed WSB to ask if we knew what they were up to. You’ll recall that the fight over who’s to blame for the slides and the resulting road damage and home dangers is now part of two lawsuits – one filed by the city in 2009 against an upslope homeowner, and a newer one filed by nearby homeowners earlier this year (here’s our May report). Online files on the latter suit reveal a counter-claim recently filed by the upslope homeowner; we checked with the city on the overall status of the case, and here’s the response received from the City Attorney’s Office:
While neither lawsuit has been resolved to date, the parties have agreed that additional information is needed to determine next steps and develop an appropriate fix. The work that occurred last week involved drilling in several locations on the hillside to allow engineering analyses of potential solutions.
That’s all they can say since the matter is still “in litigation.” Meantime, we have an inquiry out to SDOT to ask if any road work is planned before winter, given that whomever is to blame, it’s indisputable that the road alongside the slide remains in bad shape (and wintry conditions like ice – remember this? – compound the problem).
ADDED 5:48 PM: SDOT’s Rick Sheridan answered our inquiry (the short answer is “no”):
In mid-July SDOT crews completed asphalt resurfacing on Beach Drive SW between SW Snoqualmie Street and SW Jacobsen Road (the 4600 block), just beyond the slide area. That work was made possible by the mayor and city council directing property sale funds to spot paving.
The roadway to the south, by the slide area, is in need of full pavement reconstruction. However, repairs in that area will need to wait until the slope is stabilized around the 6300 to 6500 blocks.
In addition, that section of Beach Drive must compete with busier streets in West Seattle and elsewhere for scarce paving dollars. Two examples of other streets that carry much heavier traffic volumes and are competing for the same paving funds are Delridge Way SW, which is scheduled for paving in 2014, and the south end of California Avenue SW, for which there is no funding available at this time.
Less than 2 weeks until the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which will bring many more commemorations and remembrances around the country than usual. Last week, we published first word of the Log House Museum‘s tribute plans, focused on the role the Alki Statue of Liberty played as a touchstone in the days after 9/11; Marcy Johnsen from LHM/Southwest Seattle Historical Society sends word the event is now finalized, with Parks‘ permission – full details in our original preview here, which also mentions the tribute during the Holy Family Community Street Fair in White Center (20th/Roxbury) that day. And just added, Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW) plans a 1 pm remembrance service in its chapel on Sept. 11th, all welcome; folks at The Mount are making paper cranes in hopes of having 1,000 by then. (Photo by Alki photographer David Hutchinson, taken September 12, 2001)
P.S. WSB Forums members are sharing their 9/11/2001 memories in this thread, if you’re interested in contributing.
That’s Alki Kayak Tours‘ Greg Whittaker in the hat, coaching would-be paddlers at last weekend’s Duwamish River Festival. Your chance to explore the river, from that same starting point, is tonight – one of the highlights from the WSB Events calendar:
2ND-TO-LAST COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR OF THE DUWAMISH: Every two weeks, all summer, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has presented the tours, in partnership with Alki Kayak Tours – meets 5:30 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park, 7900 10th Avenue S. in South Park; RSVP to (206) 953-0237. Tours cost $45 per person; $5 donation per person to DRCC also requested. All equipment, instructions, and guiding are provided. More info.
(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, added 10:47 am)
NEW STATE LIQUOR STORE NOW OPEN: As of minutes ago, it’s the first day of operation for the new Junction liquor store, on the northwest corner of 41st/Alaska (here’s our video-tour preview from yesterday).
VILLAGE GREEN PERENNIAL NURSERY SUPPORT/FORECLOSURE-AWARENESS RALLY: As previewed here earlier this morning, the event is 5-9 pm at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW in White Center (full details here).
METROPOLITAN MARKET WINE TASTING: 5:30-7:30 pm at the Admiral store, taste wines to complement the fruit offered at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) during the ongoing Peach-O-Rama.
JAPANESE ARTISTS PERFORM ON ALKI: Word of this came in late last night – note the weather caveat:
4 very talented artists and entertainers will be performing at Alki Beach, August 31 6:00pm near the Statue of Liberty.
They said they would like as many people to view their performances since they are here for only a short period of time.
1. Bosshiko is a high-profile artist in Asia winning various awards. He will be performing a live painting using black sumi ink on Japanese washi paper. The painting will be enourmous and will be done in 30 minutes.
2. Sayoko Hirano is an artist from Kyoto learning under Bosshiko. She will also be performing a live painting.
3. Chiaki is a professional dancer and will perform a powerful martial arts inspired contemporary dance.
4. Gon is one of the few traditional Japanese storytellers left even in Japan. His storytelling always gets the crowd laughing even if you don’t understand Japanese.
They will cancel the performance if it rains.
BUY IT WHERE THEY GROW IT: High Point Market Garden farm stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd Ave SW and SW Juneau. This is a weekly Farm Stand selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right in the garden where the produce is grown.
BUDGET-CUT CLOSURES: Seattle Public Schools is on a systemwide furlough day, and district employees aren’t even supposed to answer e-mails … Seattle Public Library‘s now-annual budget-cut closure continues today (the system reopens next Tuesday, after the Labor Day holiday following the closure week).
SEASON EBBING AT COLMAN POOL: Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations through Monday, and then, after one last “post-season weekend,” it’s closed till next year. Pool schedule/other info here.
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR CAR SHOW: If you want the early-registration $15 fee for the West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB) on September 18th, you have to get your registration in by tomorrow – details here.
Tonight’s the night for the benefit rally/party/auction on behalf of Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson‘s foreclosure fight (first reported here last month). Organizers from Friends of Village Green and White Center Business Owners of Sustainable Support have put together quite the lineup for the event, 5-9 pm at Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW). WC-BOSS founder Aileen Sison describes it as “a fun-filled evening of community solidarity with live music, ice cream and refreshments provided by Full Tilt Ice Cream and more for your enjoyment. We will also be showing a entertaining and informative short film as well as having guest speakers addressing the housing crisis to raise foreclosure prevention awareness. Stick around for the super silent auction for killer local items and cool out to tunes by Del Rey and WC’s home grown musical talents like Rats in the Grass, Graves 33, and The GNU Deal! … Come show your support and toast to homeowner advocacy, local businesses, and be seen wearing the night’s color of support and go GREEN!” Sison shared the list of silent-auction items – read on to see the list (and a few photos):Read More
Arbor Heights is among the few areas of West Seattle not represented by a community council – but Arbor Heights Community Church leaders say they’re trying to step up and help with neighborhood organizing. Tuesday night’s community meeting at the church was announced 2+ weeks ago as a chance to get information about crime prevention, and that certainly was discussed, with the help of Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon. He presented information including how to set up Block Watches. But last Saturday’s house fire, less than a block from the church, was a big topic too.
As first reported here Sunday night, AHCC is coordinating donations for the family who lost everything in the fire, and we got an update on that from Pastor Ken Ross, who says he has met with the fire victims and describes them as still in a state of shock:
*Red Cross has provided them with lodging for 2 weeks; they are still looking for a rental, preferably in the Arbor Heights area, since they have two kids about to go back to school (12-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy, according to family members’ comments).
*Fundraising has totaled $3,000 so far (donation info is here)
*Want to offer clothing or other types of non-monetary donations? The church doesn’t have storage but asks that you e-mail ahfiredonations@yahoo.com to coordinate, or, as previously requested, call 206-935-5714 between 10 am-2 pm today or Thursday (after that the office won’t be staffed again till the following Tuesday)
The pastor also says he plans to meet with a Seattle Fire Department representative regarding the complications of Saturday evening’s firefighting operation – including response time and water pressure. (Here’s our Monday night report on the city’s review plan.)
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share tonight, from the WSB inbox, including a break-in attempt late today whose victims say police told them about a “roaming” burglar, plus another burglary and a car theft – read on (**added Wed. morning, an additional burglary report):Read More
EDITOR’S NOTE: Many WSB’ers have asked about the former Tervo’s at 4415 Fauntleroy, which has changed hands a few times recently and been closed a while. Suddenly this week, windows were installed on its south side, and painting was under way. We asked WSB contributor Keri DeTore to check it out; here’s what she discovered.
Update and photo by Keri DeTore for West Seattle Blog
New owners Negash Yassin (pictured) and his brother Daniel have purchased the former Tervo’s site in The Triangle and are adding it to their Corner Store & Deli franchise. This West Seattle location will feature fresh Boar’s Head sandwiches, some fresh produce, and a substantial wine and beer selection. It will still offer some of the typical corner-store products, such as sodas and cigarettes, but in a more “upscale” environment.
Negash says he and his brother studied the neighborhood to determine what it seemed to need, so in addition to the previous offerings, they will offer more coffee options. They will be featuring Ethiopian coffee in their mochas and lattes and providing punch cards for coffee drinks and sandwiches.
As for the renovation, the inside has been completely gutted, with new wall systems being installed and the wood-framed windows presenting a more inviting street front. Says Negash: “We try to look our best; we don’t want it to look like a prison.”
He says “Corner Store & Deli #2” will be open for business within the next two weeks. (#1 is in the Central District, at 1720 S. Jackson.)
The new West Seattle Junction liquor store opens 10 am tomorrow – after the old one closes at 9 pm tonight. Judging by what we saw during a drop-by-and-take-photos media preview today, it’s ready to go already. Our video, above, is a casual walkthrough, looking at the shelves and shelves … and shelves … of bottles, not to mention the “open cooler” of craft beer (including many Washington brands):
This isn’t just a new liquor store; it’s the state’s first “premier” store, and Liquor Control Board officials were up from Olympia, bursting with pride. They are also trying to make a major point – boosting the selection of brands in the wake of voter rejection of liquor privatization, in hopes of showing you can have a monopoly and still be customer-sensitive. Molly Wheeler is the manager, a 14-year LCB employee who says running this store is a dream come true, and explains more about what it’s offering:
The store concept isn’t all that’s new – the state is about to start offering liquor-tasting events, and the first one at this store is this Saturday, 4-6 pm; they’ll have tastings every week, same time (this month’s schedule, including the list of what’s offered for tasting, is here). The store is at 41st/Alaska in Capco Plaza, same building as QFC and the future home of another business moving from elsewhere in The Junction, Petco, which will be next to the liquor store on the lower level at the same corner.
(July 2011 photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Thursday is both the first day of September and the last show in this year’s Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (with co-sponsors including WSB) – and one of our area’s hottest rising stars, Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, provides the grand finale. Our photo is from her Junction-rocking performance at Easy Street Records last month. The show’s free as always BUT – go buy some diapers and bring them to donate to WestSide Baby, and ANA president Katy Walum says you’ll get a free Popsicle! 6:30 pm Thursday, east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW, but the lawn faces Walnut), bring your own chair/blanket – and a box/bag of diapers! (Who knows, you might even see a celebrity.)
If you haven’t already seen the news over on partner site White Center Now: The community’s been begging for the county to restore its “storefront deputy,” a WC-dedicated sheriff’s deputy who works the community from a home base in the Sheriff’s Office storefront right in the heart of the business district. A petition has been in circulation for weeks – the deputy’s been gone for months – and was going to be presented to Sheriff Sue Rahr this Thursday. But now – its goal is in sight: As part of an anti-gang-violence plan just announced by King County Executive Dow Constantine and County Council members, a special criminal-justice fund will be tapped for programs including restoring the deputy, pending official council approval. More at WCN.
Quick reminders: Today is the second day of the weeklong Seattle Public Library shutdown. And tomorrow, also because of a budget shortfall (different governing body, though), Seattle Public Schools will be on a systemwide furlough day to save money toward its budget gap. A message from SPS says, “We negotiated this furlough day with our teacher and principal unions, and also required furlough days for our non-represented staff, to make up for the $4 million shortfall caused by the cuts to teacher, principal and administrator salaries in the last legislative session. These days were negotiated to have the least possible impact on students-though missing a day right before school starts may mean that classrooms and buildings will not be as ready as we hoped for the first day of school.” Which is a week from tomorrow – Wednesday, Sept. 7th.
(12:21 PM UPDATE: We now have prosecution reaction after a mixed decision at the monthlong trial in the Steve Bushaw murder case. Bryce Huber is guilty; the jury could not reach a decision regarding Brandon Chaney, so his case ends in mistrial. The victim’s family says Huber is the one they most wanted to see convicted. The following begins with as-it-happened updates from WSB editor Tracy Record at the courthouse.)
8:58 AM: We’re in the King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque‘s courtroom, awaiting word of the jury’s decision in the monthlong trial of two men charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Steve Bushaw. 
The 26-year-old West Seattleite (right) was killed the night of February 1, 2009, shot in the middle of California SW by two men who already have pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. In this trial, which we have been covering since the start, defendant Bryce Huber is accused of luring Bushaw to his death; defendant Brandon Chaney is accused of driving the getaway car. The seven-woman, five-man jury has deliberated three full days since getting the case late last Wednesday; the trial began August 1st. The victim’s family members have arrived; so have two of the three lawyers. We’ll cover this as it happens.
9:14 AM: Both defendants are now here, escorted by uniformed, armed King County Jail officers as always, cuffs taken off just before they sit down at the table with their lawyers. About three dozen spectators, mostly family of victim/defendants, are in the courtroom now.
9:17 AM: Judge DuBuque has announced the jury says they have reached a verdict for one defendant and is “unable to reach a verdict for the other.” They asked for directions. The judge is asking the lawyers what they think. She says she doesn’t know which defendant is matched to which circumstance. (9:21) They will call in the jury to ask the presiding juror if there is any hope they will reach a verdict on the second defendant.
9:24 AM: The presiding juror says “no,” after the judge warned that nothing else must be said. The jury now is leaving the courtroom so the judge and lawyers can consult. (9:27) At the request of Huber’s lawyer Tony Savage, the jurors are being brought back to ask if they all agree with the presiding juror’s answer. One voice said “no.” They’re being sent out again. (9:31) Savage says he’s OK with accepting one verdict and one mistrial (we still don’t know which defendant is which), so the jurors are being brought back out for the announcement.
9:32 AM: The jury is back. The verdict has been given to the bailiff. Huber is guilty. The family is gasping. He is guilty of murder in the first degree, with firearm enhancement (which adds 5 years to the sentence). This means Chaney’s case is deadlocked, and a mistrial is declared. A date will be set in a few weeks regarding what happens next. (added) Huber’s sentencing is set for 9 am September 16th, and later that day, there will be a hearing regarding the next steps toward a new trial for Chaney. The defendants, officers, and lawyers are leaving.
(Photo added, by Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times: Steve’s mother Meg Bushaw, hugged by daughter Tanya Bushaw)
The family is still standing in the courtroom. We had made an earlier request to speak with anyone who chose to spoke on their behalf, so we are going out in hopes of talking with them.
9:52 AM: Steve Bushaw’s only sibling, Tanya Bushaw, tells WSB she is “very happy. (Huber) was the one and only person we had been wanting the most out of the case. He is the one who lured my brother (to his death), and the one who put my brother’s name up” (in relation to the home-invasion robbery of a friend of Huber’s, which was the motive in the shooting’s complicated backstory). Tanya also said that, regarding the mistrial for Chaney, “of all the people (in the case), if one was to have a mistrial, he would have been my very first choice.” Tanya and Steve’s dad Ron Bushaw said simply, “I’m happy that one of them was found guilty, and I hope the other will be.”
10:23 AM NOTE: Our partners at the Seattle Times had a crew in the courtroom for the verdict and we expect to be able to add some of their photos later; we have added a file shot of Huber in the meantime, taken during January proceedings, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB. (added – their photo of Huber)
(Photo by Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times)
It should also be noted that the two men who admitted shooting Bushaw, John Sylve and Danny O’Neal, are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge DuBuque at 2 pm September 30th.
12:18 PM UPDATE: King County Prosecuting Attorney‘s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe says the jury was split 8-4 for convicting Chaney – this was not announced in open court, but jurors were offered the chance to talk with the lawyers afterward – and his office is considering a retrial. Also regarding the oft-asked question of potential charges against others who have emerged as possibly involved: “We will be reviewing information presented at trial and other evidence regarding the potential involvement of others.”
TUESDAY NIGHT NOTE: The KCPAO’s official summary of the trial’s end can be read here; it notes that Huber will face a sentencing range of 25-31 years in prison, while Sylve and O’Neal face 15-23 years. One other note: WSB complete coverage of the entire trial is archived here, newest-to-oldest.
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