Murder & Attempted Murder Charged in Belltown Fatal Shooting
Today the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Cordell Maurice Goosby, the man arrested in Tuesday’s fatal Belltown shooting, with:
- Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm Enhancement
- Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm Enhancement
The information from investigators for Friday’s charging decision is different from the first appearance document. The information in Wednesday’s first appearance document was the best available information at the time. Friday’s charging documents, filed publicly, includes the most recent information available.
The police investigation is ongoing.
King County prosecutors are committed to ensuring justice for each victim in this case. Under Washington State law, a person can be only charged with homicide for the death of a person who was “born alive.” The medical records are still being reviewed by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Seattle Police investigators and King County prosecutors.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked with the filing of charges that Mr. Goosby be held in jail on $10 million bail. The court set that bail amount.
Some answers to questions we’ve received and anticipate receiving:
If the police investigation is ongoing and records are still being reviewed, why are you filing charges now?
Under Washington State law, a person arrested in a felony case can only be held in custody for 72 hours without the felony case being filed. By filing the two felony charges today (murder and attempted murder) King County prosecutors were able to argue that Mr. Goosby should remain in jail.
Why are you not filing a charge today for unlawful gun possession?
We are awaiting official documents from Illinois, and that charge can be added anytime within the statute of limitations.
What happens next? Is he expected in court today?
He is not expected in court today. Mr. Goosby next court day is his arraignment, where an initial plea is entered, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 29 in room E1201A of the King County Courthouse. At a scheduled second appearance, the court is expected to tell Mr. Goosby’s defense attorney that charges have been formally filed. But the defendant is not expected to attend, which is routine.
Did Cordell Goosby appear in court previously in this case?
No. He declined his right to appear at a first appearance hearing and was represented by a defense attorney.
If you are unable to file the murder charge for the child today, does that mean you can never charge it?
There is no statute limitations of murder. Under Washington State law, a person can be only charged with homicide for the death of a person who was “born alive.” The medical records are still being reviewed by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Seattle Police investigators and King County prosecutors.
Does Cordell Goosby have a criminal history with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office?
No. No previous cases have been sent to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Does he have a criminal history elsewhere?
He has a criminal history in Illinois, and that information is included in the public charging documents.
How and why did he come to Washington State?
This question is for police investigators. The information available from prosecutors is in the charging documents
Can I get a mug shot?
Mug shots are not controlled by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. They are handled by King County Jail staff, part of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. Washington is one of the states that does not allow mug shots to be routinely distributed, and that’s outlined in state law. Mug shots are available from police agencies in rare circumstances outlined by the law.
When will he be in court next?
Same information as above: At the arraignment scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 29. An arraignment is typically the first court appearance after a charging decision, and that’s where an initial plea is entered. Those are routinely 10–14 days after the charging date.
Why didn’t prosecutors file charges sooner?
Prosecutors filed charges the first day we were able to. The documents needed under the law to file charges were sent from police to prosecutors Friday morning and charges were filed immediately after an independent review of the investigation. Prosecutors could not have filed charges without that case referral from police on Friday. The first appearance document (called a superform) presented Wednesday in King County District Court is separate from what is sent for a charging decision in King County Superior Court. That is the routine process for first appearances (handled in King County District Court) and where felony charges are filed (King County Superior Court).
Where is Cordell Goosby now?
He remains in the King County Jail.
What is his bail amount?
Same information as above: King County Prosecutors asked for his bail to be set at $10 million. The court set bail at that amount based on the information in the charging documents.
Can you charge Cordell Goosby for the death of the child?
We are committed to ensuring justice for each victim in this case. Under Washington State law, a person can be only charged with homicide for the death of a person who was “born alive.” The medical records are still being reviewed by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Seattle Police investigators and King County prosecutors. The information from investigators for Friday’s charging decision is different from the first appearance document. The information in Wednesday’s first appearance document was the best available information at the time. Friday’s charging documents, filed publicly, includes the most recent information available.
Do you have the name of Mr. Goosby’s defense attorney?
Check with the Department of Public Defense. Their contact info is here. Updates to the case can be found in the official Superior Court file using case number 23–1–05019–0.
What does a firearm enhancement mean?
If convicted of a charge with a firearm enhancement, that enhancement brings an additional mandatory 60-month prison term for each charge.
What is the range Mr. Goosby is facing if convicted as charged today?
Based on our current understanding of this defendant and the sentencing guidelines under state law, the standard range sentence if convicted of these crimes is approximately 45–57 years. Additional charges may be added.
The post is not expected to be updated. For case updates, go to the KC Script Portal and view case number 23–1–05019–0.
