A Seattle judge frees an accused killer a day after murdering a 65-year-old veteran

RENTON, Wash. – Renton police say 19-year-old K’Shawn Konscience Jimerson called 911 on Friday and told the operator he had stabbed someone and would be standing “outside with a knife.”

When officers arrived, they found 65-year-old Michael Gray inside Jimerson’s apartment with stab wounds to his side and back.

He died as a result of his injuries.

Detectives say clear surveillance footage shows Jimerson chasing Gray from behind and hitting him in the back of the head with a large wooden baton, then hitting him twice more in the head as he fell to the ground. Gray turned to grapple with Jimerson, who fled and grabbed the knife before they disappeared into the apartment.

Witnesses say they heard an argument and then saw Jimerson with a large butcher knife and covered in blood.

The officers found a knife in a sink full of detergent.

A witness saw Gray bleeding and shouted for Jimerson to call 911 before he died. When calling 911, Jimerson claimed he was acting in self-defense.

Detectives say the video clearly shows it was not self-defense. Tomorrow they will submit additional information to the prosecutor’s office.

Jimerson’s grandmother hired Gray to work as a handyman. He spent a day and a half cleaning the walls in the apartment. She is said to be devastated by the murder.

Gray lived across the street from the Jimerson family. He was a military veteran. His roommates say he hated having his photos taken, so we don’t have any to show you right now.

The day after the arrest, Judge Michele Gehlsen released Jimerson on $50,000 bail without electronic home monitoring.

At the time, surveillance footage of the attack was not considered evidence, so she had no way of knowing about it. In Washington state, judges are prohibited from holding hearings or speaking publicly about decisions made in pending cases.

Jimerson recently returned to Washington from Texas, where his mother lives.

There’s nothing stopping it from disappearing.

Prosecutors plan to expedite the filing of the murder indictment tomorrow by 2:30 p.m

A larger bail amount must be attached along with a new warrant and arraignment date.

MORE HEADLINES FROM FOX SEATTLE

A chase after a stolen car ends with an accident in which 5 people were injured, including 3 WA deputies.

Here are the best schools and districts in Washington state according to the latest rankings

Parents want answers after Kent Police arrested a pupil at a secondary school

Gonzaga leaves the WCC and joins the Pac-12 Conference

‘Belltown Hellcat’ spotted on Seattle streets again despite court orders

The SR-99 tunnel in Seattle will be closed for the following weekends

To get Seattle’s best local news, weather and sports for free, sign up for the Journal FOX Seattle Newsletter.