SEATTLE — The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office made a charging decision for the Seattle man accused of killing an 80-year-old woman during a carjacking.
The suspect, Jahmed Haynes, is charged with murder in the first degree, animal cruelty in the first degree, and assault in the second degree.
In Seattle's Madison Valley, near the site of deadly carjacking, the grief continues, and a memorial grows for Ruth Dalton, a well-known and beloved dog walker in the neighborhood.
Haynes is being held at the King County Jail.
Police say on Tuesday, Haynes struggled with Dalton, shoving her out of the driver's seat of her SUV. Inside the vehicle at the time were multiple dogs, including Dalton's own dog, Prince.
Dalton died when she was dragged behind her vehicle. Police say Haynes drove off.
Witnesses said they saw "multiple dogs running loose in the street." But not Prince. Hours later and five miles away, police found Dalton’s dog stabbed to death near her abandoned SUV.
A fingerprint left behind led officers to Haynes, who was arrested Wednesday.
Records show convictions for eight felonies in his past, including a vehicular homicide case in 1993. The last time King County prosecutors had a case against Haynes was 25 years ago.
In Madison Valley, Ruth's clients are calling her a hero for how she protected the dogs she was caring for on the day of carjacking.
“Ruth, I think would want us to continue her legacy,” said Kristin Rickman, the director of PETA’s Emergency Response Team. “PETA has decided to honor Ruth Dalton with a commemorative leaf bearing her name on our Tree of Life memorial at our headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia.”
Ruth Dalton will soon be added to the memorial that honors bravery and compassion.
Dalton's granddaughter has set up a GoFundMe for her memorial and to donate to charities she was passionate about. You can donate here.
King County prosecutors asked that Haynes be held in jail with no bail, and the court approved that request. An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 5.