SEATTLE — The accused killer of an 80-year-old beloved Seattle dog walker was found not competent to stand trial by a King County judge.
Jahmed Haynes is accused of carjacking and killing Ruth Dalton on Aug. 20. Dalton had a group of dogs with her, one of which Haynes is accused of stabbing to death. Haynes was charged with murder, animal cruelty and assault.
According to prosecutors, Haynes was seen in surveillance video walking past Dalton's car several times before forcing his way inside. Prosecutors said the passenger door flung open, and the car took off. Dalton, a well-known dog walker, had several dogs with her then. One dog fell out of the car at the beginning of the carjacking. Others escaped, presumably when authorities said Haynes pushed Dalton out of her car and back up over her.
Haynes was found to have unspecified schizophrenia spectrum, antisocial personality disorder and cannabis use disorder, according to a report from the Department of Social and Health Services obtained by KING 5. An evaluator found Haynes had "significant difficulty engaging in meaningful communication" and that his responses were "disorganized, nonsensical or irrelevant."
"In consideration of these factors, it is the opinion of the undersigned, that due to Mr. Haynes's mental health symptoms, he did not demonstrate the capacity to understand the nature of the legal proceedings against him or to assist in his own defense," the evaluator wrote in their competency opinion.
Haynes told the evaluator he believes inmates are "mannequins under their helmets" and said he has dealt with hallucinations in the past, the report said. Haynes was evaluated on three prior occasions on his capacities to stand trial, the report said records reflected.
Between January 2017 and August, Haynes received outpatient mental health treatment, the report indicated. He was treated "on an inpatient basis" in May 2019 and hospitalized with schizoaffective disorder in July 2021.
Haynes does have eight felony convictions in Washington state dating back to 1992, according to the report.
Haynes' competency to stand trial will be re-evaluated in December, according to the King County Prosecutor's Office.
"Good people exist in this world. My grandma was one of them."
Dalton's death sparked outrage across the Seattle community. Her granddaughter welcomes it, hoping there will be justice for her grandmother.
"Good people exist in this world. My grandma was one of them. John, who did CPR on her even though he knew it was too late, is one of them. Damon, who helped a stranger who reminded him of his mom, is one of them. They're heroes."
A candlelight vigil for Dalton was held in early September in Seattle.
Dalton was described as loyal and loving, and she always shared her faith with everyone she met.
"I can't believe she is gone," said longtime friend Brooke Pigott. "It's devastating."
Pigott met Dalton 23 years ago and describes her as someone you could always count on.
"She really was a part of my family," Pigott said. "She has seen all three of my kids grow up. Huge loss."
KING 5's Cornelius Hocker contributed to this report.
