It’s been 15 months and there’s still not a trial date for a SeaTac girl facing a second-degree murder charge for the July 2021 hit-and-run death of Gregory Moore as he jogged in Maple Valley.
Court hearing after court hearing keeps getting continued for a variety of reasons before both sides and a judge can agree on a trial date.
At the latest hearing Dec. 7 at the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle, King County Superior Court Judge Nelson K.H. Lee continued the hearing to Dec. 14.
“The defense expert is asking to meet for an interview and there are CPS (state Child Protective Services) records that are outstanding that need to be provided for an expert to review,” said Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, in a Dec. 9 email. “The judge continued the hearing and directed CPS to provide all records by Dec. 14. The judge also indicated that if those records are not completed then the defense will present a subpoena.”
At the next hearing, Judge Lee wants a full report of any outstanding items and when the expert’s report will be complete, McNerthney said.
The girl, now 17 but 15 at the time of the incident, was charged in September 2021 with killing Moore, 53, as he jogged in the morning near his Maple Valley home. The Kent Reporter is not naming the girl because she is a juvenile.
She has remained in custody at the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center since deputies took her into custody in September 2021.
Prosecutors charged the girl with second-degree murder for allegedly hitting Moore with a car and then fleeing the scene. She pleaded not guilty. The case remained unsolved for about eight weeks. King County Sheriff’s Office detectives used headlight fragments found near the scene, video surveillance and other evidence to identify a 2004 Toyota Camry that reportedly hit Moore and led detectives to the girl.
In addition to the second-degree murder charge, the teen also faces a second-degree assault and felony hit-and-run charge in a separate case. During the investigation into Moore’s death, detectives found evidence that led to further charges against the girl in a July 2021 hit-and-run in Des Moines that reportedly injured a pedestrian who has not yet been identified.
Youth who are 16 at the time of a crime can legally be charged as an adult if they are charged with a felony. The girl was charged in juvenile court because of her age.
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