A year ago, Ruth Dalton, an 80-year-old dog walker, was killed in a carjacking. Wednesday night, about 50 people gathered near a plaque in memory of Dalton and her dog Prince.
The case has been slow to move through the legal system. Several Seattle officials pledged their commitment to trying to eliminate violence like this in the future.
The city installed the plaque at 43rd Avenue East, just south of Madison Street, near a bench overlooking Madison Park Beach, a place she frequented. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle police Chief Shon Barnes attended the memorial, as well as other police officers and City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth.
“We’re committed to seeing that justice is done, not only for Ruth, but for anyone in our city that is tragically taken away from us and we have that loss of potential,” Barnes said.
Jahmed Kamal Haynes is charged with first-degree murder and animal cruelty in connection with the killing, as well as second-degree assault.
Haynes allegedly backed over Dalton before speeding away in her car.
Dalton had several dogs in her car, and witnesses said she struggled with the man in an attempt to save the dogs. Her dog Prince was found stabbed to death near her abandoned car in Columbia City.
Haynes was diagnosed with unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and anti-social personality disorder, according to a report from the Department of Social and Health Services written last month by licensed psychologist Lyndsay Brooks.
Brooks wrote that Haynes appears to understand his legal proceedings but lacks the capacity to assist in his defense.
A new hearing has been set for October.
“As lawmakers, as elected officials, as members of the police department, every time there’s a senseless death like this,” Harrell said Wednesday, “we have to ask ourselves, what we can do better?”
Material from The Seattle Times archives contributed to this report.
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