Man found guilty in 2005 Seattle murder

A King County jury has found a man guilty of first-degree murder for the slaying of a Seattle businessman whose body was found inside his Porsche on Beacon Hill in October 2005.

Michael Saga Maiava, whose conviction includes a deadly weapons enhancement, faces 26 to 34 years in prison for the slaying of Kevin Shaw. He was found guilty Tuesday following a monthlong trial.

Shaw recruited executives for high-level accounting jobs and was the former chief financial officer for Spot Bagel Bakery. In charging papers, police said he was gagged, bound and stabbed in the head.

Seattle

Prosecutor's office rejects recall petition

The King County Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday rejected a petition to recall five members of the Seattle School Board.

The Committee to Stop All School Closures filed the petition Friday against members Cheryl Chow, Michael DeBell, Darlene Flynn, Brita Butler-Wall and Irene Stewart. State law mandates that the petitioner, Eric Dawson, take an oath verifying the charges of malfeasance against the School Board are true. In a letter to Dawson, King County Prosecutor Janine Joly said Dawson never took the oath.

In addition, Joly said Dawson would have to file five separate petitions against the board members. Dawson also failed to provide his address, so prosecutors were unable to verify his King County voter registration.

Edmonds

Police investigate suspicious death

Edmonds police are investigating the suspicious death of a 16-year-old girl following a New Year's party.

Danielle McCarthy, of Puyallup, was at a party in the 9400 block of 220th Street Southwest in Edmonds during the early hours of Jan. 1 before she was brought, while unresponsive, to the emergency room of Stevens Hospital, according to Edmonds Police.

McCarthy also attended a party in Seattle's University District that night, police said.

Anyone who might have been with McCarthy that evening is asked to call the Edmonds Police tip line, 425-771-0212. No cause of death has been determined.

Tacoma

Utility employee dies of injuries

A Tacoma Power employee who was injured in the aftermath of the Dec. 14 storm died Tuesday.

Barry Kensrud was among a crew sent to remove a tree that had fallen across power lines in an alley in Tacoma, according to the power company. Kensrud was thrown across the alley after being hit by lines and the power pole. He was hospitalized and remained in critical condition until his death.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 483 has set up a fund to assist Kensrud's family. Donations are being taken at any Columbia Bank under "IBEW Barry Kensrud Donation Account, care of Alice Phillips."

Walla Walla

Inmates charged in fatal beating

Two Washington State Penitentiary inmates have been charged with murder in the fatal beating of another inmate in his cell in November.

Kevin Achartz, 40, serving a life sentence from King County for sexual exploitation of a minor, was found unconscious in his cell Nov. 19 and died four days later in a Kennewick hospital. Michael E. Elmore, 22, and Victor W. Doty, 26, were charged Tuesday in Walla Walla County Superior Court with first-degree murder.

Seattle Times staff and news services