A first appearance judge at Christopher Leahy’s hearing today found probable cause for Murder in the First Degree with a Deadly Weapon Enhancement, and set his bail at $10 million. The hearing was held at 2pm in King County Jail courtroom, after Leahy turned himself in to Bellevue police at around 10:30pm last night.
“The horrific nature and brutal execution of this attack leaves the court making a finding that he’s substantially likely to commit a violent offense in the future” the judge said.
The autopsy report released by the court found that, “the victim had suffered over 40 stab wounds to the head, neck, shoulder, arms and hands and had died from blood loss therefrom.”
Juniper Blessing
Court documents reveal that Juniper Blessing was the name of the 19 y/o Transgender victim. Several friends of Blessing told the SGN that she identified as a woman, and used both she/her and they/them pronouns.
The family of the victim also released a statement about the death of their child.
“Our family has been shattered by the loss of our child, Juniper Blessing, to an act of unspeakable violence near the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Juniper was simply the most amazing human being we have ever known – highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive to the needs of others. Juniper’s loss not only devastates us but diminishes the world.”
“Juniper was courageously living their life as who they were until it was cut tragically short. Blessed with many loving friends, family members and mentors, Juniper will be deeply missed.”
Support the Seattle Gay News: Celebrate 52 Years with Us!
As the third-oldest LGBTQIA+ newspaper in the United States, the Seattle Gay News (SGN) has been a vital independent source of news and entertainment for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest since 1974.
As we celebrate our 52nd year, we need your support to continue our mission.
A monthly contribution will ensure that SGN remains a beacon of truth and a virtual gathering place for community dialogue.
Help us keep printing and providing a platform for LGBTQIA+ voices.
How you can donate!
Using this link: givebutter.com/6lZnDB
Text “SGN” to 53-555
Or Scan the QR code below!
