Man convicted in stabbing death of Des Moines woman
SEATTLE -- A man who prosecutors say stabbed a Des Moines woman 63 times was convicted of first degree murder Wednesday.
Daniel A. Threadgill committed the murder of Jennifer Walstrand as another woman, Araya McMillon, egged him on, prosecutors said. Walstrand, 28, was also missing most of her teeth, and had a depression on her skull as if she had been kicked or stomped on.
McMillon pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in November in exchange for her cooperation with investigators.
According to the statement of probable cause, McMillon lived next door to the victim in a triplex in the 24000 block of 25th Ave. S. at the time of the murder in August of 2010. The two had also worked for the same pimp as prostitutes before McMillon left just weeks before the murder to work with Threadgill, whom she described to detectives as a "promoter."
One of the witnesses reported having overheard McMillon say, "Her pimp and his 'ho' took her money and that '(expletive) was going to get it,"' the statement said.
And an anonymous tipster told detectives he'd overheard McMillon, whom he called "Aleaha," say she was "jealous of Walstrand," the statement said.
On the night of the murder, the two witnesses said they'd been invited to McMillon's home "to smoke 'weed' and watch movies," according to the document. While they were smoking cigarettes in their car, they saw McMillon and Threadgill enter Walstrand's apartment. Moments later, they heard screams, they said.
The witnesses rushed over and saw Walstrand pinned down by Threadgill, who kept stabbing the victim as McMillon repeated times over, "She's not dead yet," the document said. Threadgill soon began stomping on the victim's head, the witnesses told investigators.
The witnesses said they soon left the apartment, and were later warned by both Threadgill and McMillon to keep quiet.
An anonymous tip led police to the witnesses who agreed to wear a wire to help in their investigation.
During a conversation with one witness, Threadgill denied involvement in the murder and claimed on the night of the murder, he and McMillon were at her stepmother's home, watching TV.
McMillon acknowledged her involvement, however, and said she has no regrets. "It was either me or the (expletive)," she told the witness. "I have no remorse," she said.
Walstrand's family told KOMO News she had been working to turn her life around before she was killed. Her mother said Walstrand had kicked a drug habit and was taking classes at Highline Community College when she was murdered.
Threadgill will be sentenced on March 23 and faces at least 30 years in prison.
Daniel A. Threadgill committed the murder of Jennifer Walstrand as another woman, Araya McMillon, egged him on, prosecutors said. Walstrand, 28, was also missing most of her teeth, and had a depression on her skull as if she had been kicked or stomped on.
McMillon pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in November in exchange for her cooperation with investigators.
According to the statement of probable cause, McMillon lived next door to the victim in a triplex in the 24000 block of 25th Ave. S. at the time of the murder in August of 2010. The two had also worked for the same pimp as prostitutes before McMillon left just weeks before the murder to work with Threadgill, whom she described to detectives as a "promoter."
One of the witnesses reported having overheard McMillon say, "Her pimp and his 'ho' took her money and that '(expletive) was going to get it,"' the statement said.
And an anonymous tipster told detectives he'd overheard McMillon, whom he called "Aleaha," say she was "jealous of Walstrand," the statement said.
On the night of the murder, the two witnesses said they'd been invited to McMillon's home "to smoke 'weed' and watch movies," according to the document. While they were smoking cigarettes in their car, they saw McMillon and Threadgill enter Walstrand's apartment. Moments later, they heard screams, they said.
The witnesses rushed over and saw Walstrand pinned down by Threadgill, who kept stabbing the victim as McMillon repeated times over, "She's not dead yet," the document said. Threadgill soon began stomping on the victim's head, the witnesses told investigators.
The witnesses said they soon left the apartment, and were later warned by both Threadgill and McMillon to keep quiet.
An anonymous tip led police to the witnesses who agreed to wear a wire to help in their investigation.
During a conversation with one witness, Threadgill denied involvement in the murder and claimed on the night of the murder, he and McMillon were at her stepmother's home, watching TV.
McMillon acknowledged her involvement, however, and said she has no regrets. "It was either me or the (expletive)," she told the witness. "I have no remorse," she said.
Walstrand's family told KOMO News she had been working to turn her life around before she was killed. Her mother said Walstrand had kicked a drug habit and was taking classes at Highline Community College when she was murdered.
Threadgill will be sentenced on March 23 and faces at least 30 years in prison.
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