Not guilty plea entered in deadly South Park attack
SEATTLE -- A man who prosecutors say killed Teresa Butz and tried to stab her partner to death in the couple's South Park home pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning.
Butz' family wept as prosecutors read the charges against 23-year-old Isaiah Kalebu. They include aggravated murder, attempted murder, rape and burglary in the attack that left Teresa Butz dead and her partner seriously injured.
The count of aggravated murder gives prosecutors the option to seek execution. They face an Aug. 28 deadline to decide.
During his arraignment Wednesday in King County Superior Court, Kalebu responded "yes" 14 times, mostly in a clear voice, when asked whether he understood the elements of each charge he faces in connection with the July 19 crimes. He answered more quietly on whether he understood that the most serious charge included the use of a deadly weapon.
Emotions ran high as Kalebu entered his not guilty pleas, with Butz' friends and family sitting just feet from Kalebu's family.
Defense lawyer Ramona Brandes said in court she had not reviewed a CD outlining the prosecution's case against Kalebu and would not comment afterward to reporters, including whether she would seek a psychiatric examination. Kalebu has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Kalebu is suspected of breaking into the women's home through an open window while they slept on July 19. Prosecutors say the women woke up to find Kalebu standing over their bed, naked and holding a knife.
According to court documents, Kalebu told the women if they cooperated with his demands for sex, they wouldn't get hurt.
"It's a horrific case, every woman's worst nightmare I would imagine," said King County prosecutor James Konat. "When a stranger, they're awakened to a stranger, standing naked beside their bed, knife to their throat and they were subjected to what can only be described as 90 minutes to 2 hours of utter torture before ultimately one of them was killed probably saving her partners life. Both were left naked and bleeding profusely in the streets. I can't imagine a scenario that could be any worse."
Prosecutors say Kalebu raped one victim while he cut the other. Realizing they would be killed, Butz attacked the suspect to save the woman she loved.
"The intruder hit her in the mouth, breaking her front teeth, and then he stabbed Teresa in the arm and in the chest," Satterberg said. "Teresa Butz summoned the strength to throw a chair through a window and dove out that window."
Butz died in the street from her wounds. However, the distraction she caused by tossing the chair gave her partner enough time to escape out the front door.
Witnesses say Kalebu also went running. Police captured him five days later after launching a massive manhunt.
Kalebu is also a person of interest in a suspicious fire that killed two people in Pierce County on July 9. Kalebu was living in the home, and his aunt died in the fire.
He was ordered held last month in the King County Jail unless he can post $10 million bond.
Butz' family wept as prosecutors read the charges against 23-year-old Isaiah Kalebu. They include aggravated murder, attempted murder, rape and burglary in the attack that left Teresa Butz dead and her partner seriously injured.
The count of aggravated murder gives prosecutors the option to seek execution. They face an Aug. 28 deadline to decide.
During his arraignment Wednesday in King County Superior Court, Kalebu responded "yes" 14 times, mostly in a clear voice, when asked whether he understood the elements of each charge he faces in connection with the July 19 crimes. He answered more quietly on whether he understood that the most serious charge included the use of a deadly weapon.
Emotions ran high as Kalebu entered his not guilty pleas, with Butz' friends and family sitting just feet from Kalebu's family.
Defense lawyer Ramona Brandes said in court she had not reviewed a CD outlining the prosecution's case against Kalebu and would not comment afterward to reporters, including whether she would seek a psychiatric examination. Kalebu has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Kalebu is suspected of breaking into the women's home through an open window while they slept on July 19. Prosecutors say the women woke up to find Kalebu standing over their bed, naked and holding a knife.
According to court documents, Kalebu told the women if they cooperated with his demands for sex, they wouldn't get hurt.
"It's a horrific case, every woman's worst nightmare I would imagine," said King County prosecutor James Konat. "When a stranger, they're awakened to a stranger, standing naked beside their bed, knife to their throat and they were subjected to what can only be described as 90 minutes to 2 hours of utter torture before ultimately one of them was killed probably saving her partners life. Both were left naked and bleeding profusely in the streets. I can't imagine a scenario that could be any worse."
Prosecutors say Kalebu raped one victim while he cut the other. Realizing they would be killed, Butz attacked the suspect to save the woman she loved.
"The intruder hit her in the mouth, breaking her front teeth, and then he stabbed Teresa in the arm and in the chest," Satterberg said. "Teresa Butz summoned the strength to throw a chair through a window and dove out that window."
Butz died in the street from her wounds. However, the distraction she caused by tossing the chair gave her partner enough time to escape out the front door.
Witnesses say Kalebu also went running. Police captured him five days later after launching a massive manhunt.
Kalebu is also a person of interest in a suspicious fire that killed two people in Pierce County on July 9. Kalebu was living in the home, and his aunt died in the fire.
He was ordered held last month in the King County Jail unless he can post $10 million bond.
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