Tony Deniston expected a much larger man when Leland Dean Russell Jr. entered a Kent courtroom on Monday to enter a not guilty plea to two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the Aug. 20 shooting deaths of two Shell service station employees.
“I was expecting a real big guy, but the guy just kind of blew me away,” said Deniston, the father of victim Carlos Gonzalez, told reporters after the arraignment at the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
Deniston even called Russell “a little punk” when he first saw the 5-foot-9, 145-pound man accused of shooting to death Gonzalez, 26, and David Christianson, 52.
“That’s what I thought,” said Deniston, who along with other family members wore a bright orange shirt with a photo of Gonzales to the courtroom, about his description of Russell.
Russell, 30, of Burien, remains in custody at the King County jail in Kent. Bail was originally set at $2 million, but prosecutors requested and the court ordered that bail be denied for the defendant because of the danger he poses to the community.
If convicted as charged, Russell faces a sentence range of 50 to 63 years in prison. He is scheduled to return to court Sept. 22 when a trial date could be set or attorneys can ask for more time to prepare the case.
“We’re here for my son and justice and that’s it,” Deniston said about attending the arraignment. “Really, I don’t care about this guy. I want him to spend the rest of his life in jail.”
Prosecutors allege Russell and another man, who remains at large, arrived at the gas station at the corner of 64th Avenue South and South 212th Street during the morning commute on Aug. 20, started arguments with several customers and then were asked to leave by Christianson, the Shell store manager, and Gonzalez, a store clerk.
After the friend of Russell got in a fight with one of the victims, Russell allegedly went to his black Cadillac to retrieve a gun and shot Christianson and Gonzalez multiple times at close range. Both men died at the scene.
During an interview with detectives after his arrest, Russell admitted to shooting both men, according to court documents. Russell, who is Hispanic, said the dispute started after construction workers at the service station said racial slurs to him and his friend, a black man he identified as “Sac.”
Russell was the only shooter, according to Kent Police. Detectives have identified the second subject, known as Sac, who was at the scene and are actively looking for him. He is wanted for questioning.
Senior Deputy Prosecutors Jessica Berliner and Karissa Taylor are handling the case. Berliner prosecuted the Devin Topps murder case that resulted earlier this year in the sentencing of Jorge Lizarraga to 38 years in prison after a jury convicted him for the 2010 shooting death of the popular Kentridge High School student athlete.
Russell’s defense attorneys are Deborah Wilson and Louis Frantz.
Survivors for Gonzalez, who was born in San Diego, include his father Tony, mother Maria and sister Carlene Deniston as well as many relatives and friends. Carlos Gonzalez was known for his adventurous spirit with a strong passion for photography and snowboarding, according to his obituary. His memorial service was Aug. 27 at Yahn & Son Funeral Home in Auburn.
“Carlos meant the world to all of us and will truly be missed,” Tony Deniston said on his Facebook page. “And that he was taken away from us in such a horrific act of violence made it especially hard. But, having family and friends with such kind words and big hearts have made things easier for us. We thank you for all of your prayers and support through these hard times. We know that you all loved Carlos with all your hearts as we do and I know that you will miss him as well.”
Family and friends had a memorial service for Christianson on Aug. 29 at Greenwood Memorial Park Funeral Home in Renton. He graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1980. He was a passionate league bowler at West Seattle Bowl and involved with the local LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bowling league where he was known by the community for his infectious laugh, according to his obituary.
Survivors for Christianson include his daughters, Lindsay Christianson and Kelsey Christianson, and his lifelong partner Damien Bosque.
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