Prosecutors: Fatal stabbing suspect asked for help, then money
»Play Video
SEATTLE -- Police say a woman accused of fatally stabbing a man outside a North Seattle Krispy Kreme doughnut shop Monday was trying to rob the victim.
Karen R. Latham, 23, was ordered held on $1 million bail at her first court appearance Tuesday. Latham appeared visibly shaken and cried throughout the hearing without saying a word.
Latham told detectives she had just left a friend's motor home in the 13500 block of Aurora Ave. N. and flagged down a car, according to court documents. She asked the driver, 54-year-old Zerabruk Hebtemariam, for a ride to a Jack in the Box located 10 blocks south. The fast food restaurant shares a parking lot with the doughnut shop.
Once they arrived, Latham asked Hebtemariam for money. The victim gave her $5 but Latham, unsatisfied, asked for more, prosecutors said.
When Hebtemariam refused, Latham pulled out a knife and again asked for more money, according to investigators. Hebtemariam again refused and tried to open the passenger door to push Latham out. She then sabbed him in the chest, according to prosecutors.
Latham walked off as Hebtemariam yelled that he had been stabbed. Witnesses led police to a nearby hotel on 117th where Latham was located, covered in blood, prosecutors said. She showed police the a knife in her bag and asked detectives, "Is the man dead?" without being prompted, investigators said.
Hebtemariam was rushed to Harborview Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
Latham was arrested and booked into the King County Jail for investigation of murder.
Karen R. Latham, 23, was ordered held on $1 million bail at her first court appearance Tuesday. Latham appeared visibly shaken and cried throughout the hearing without saying a word.
Latham told detectives she had just left a friend's motor home in the 13500 block of Aurora Ave. N. and flagged down a car, according to court documents. She asked the driver, 54-year-old Zerabruk Hebtemariam, for a ride to a Jack in the Box located 10 blocks south. The fast food restaurant shares a parking lot with the doughnut shop.
Once they arrived, Latham asked Hebtemariam for money. The victim gave her $5 but Latham, unsatisfied, asked for more, prosecutors said.
When Hebtemariam refused, Latham pulled out a knife and again asked for more money, according to investigators. Hebtemariam again refused and tried to open the passenger door to push Latham out. She then sabbed him in the chest, according to prosecutors.
Latham walked off as Hebtemariam yelled that he had been stabbed. Witnesses led police to a nearby hotel on 117th where Latham was located, covered in blood, prosecutors said. She showed police the a knife in her bag and asked detectives, "Is the man dead?" without being prompted, investigators said.
Hebtemariam was rushed to Harborview Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
Latham was arrested and booked into the King County Jail for investigation of murder.
