Man who allegedly posted Craigslist murder ad faces judge
SEATTLE -- A man who allegedly posted an advertisement on the Craigslist Web site seeking a woman to have sex with and kill pleaded not guilty to second degree murder charges Wednesday.
Shawn Tyler Skelton, 24, is being held on $1 million bail.
In court Wednesday, the judge ordered the media not to photograph his face because there was concern that other jail inmates could see his face and be so offended they would try to hurt him.
Prosecutors say Skelton posted an ad on Craigslist saying he was interested in meeting a woman who wanted to be killed during sex. Craigslist forwarded the ad to police, and an undercover officer began communicating with him.
The man allegedly said he was looking for someone who wanted to be killed, but that he was "willing to kill an unwilling participant," police said.
Investigators say after communicating with the man about 30 times, during which the man doubled his price to $2,000, detectives set up a sting at the Aero Motel in South Seattle where the man allegedly agreed to meet the would-be murder victim. Detectives were waiting at the motel and arrested him.
Court documents say Skelton had a knife and a length of heavy chain on him. Investigators said he later confessed to the attempted murder, and said he needed help.
"During his statement to investigators, Skelton said this activity excited him and admitted that he needed counseling and could not control his urges," King County Deputy Prosecutor Jeanne Payne said.
If convicted, Skelton faces up to 13 years in prison. Skelton's next court appearance is scheduled for May 27.
Shawn Tyler Skelton, 24, is being held on $1 million bail.
In court Wednesday, the judge ordered the media not to photograph his face because there was concern that other jail inmates could see his face and be so offended they would try to hurt him.
Prosecutors say Skelton posted an ad on Craigslist saying he was interested in meeting a woman who wanted to be killed during sex. Craigslist forwarded the ad to police, and an undercover officer began communicating with him.
The man allegedly said he was looking for someone who wanted to be killed, but that he was "willing to kill an unwilling participant," police said.
Investigators say after communicating with the man about 30 times, during which the man doubled his price to $2,000, detectives set up a sting at the Aero Motel in South Seattle where the man allegedly agreed to meet the would-be murder victim. Detectives were waiting at the motel and arrested him.
Court documents say Skelton had a knife and a length of heavy chain on him. Investigators said he later confessed to the attempted murder, and said he needed help.
"During his statement to investigators, Skelton said this activity excited him and admitted that he needed counseling and could not control his urges," King County Deputy Prosecutor Jeanne Payne said.
If convicted, Skelton faces up to 13 years in prison. Skelton's next court appearance is scheduled for May 27.
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