DES MOINES, Wash. — A 39-year-old man has been charged in connection to the beating death of a 69-year-old woman inside a Des Moines apartment complex.
According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Jake Berman was charged with second-degree murder for the death of Marla Knigge on Aug. 4. At the time the charges were filed, he was already in custody on an unrelated charge.
The Des Moines Police Department said their thoughts are with Knigge's family and friends. They also "stand with the community in mourning and [their] commitment to seeking justice remains unwavering."
Knigge died from multiple blunt force, sharp force and compression injuries, according to the King County Medical Examiner.
According to probable cause documents, Berman "has a consistent history of unprovoked attacks on unsuspecting strangers." He also lived in the same apartment building as Knigge.
Berman was arrested at the apartment complex on Seventh Avenue South in Des Moines Aug. 5 for a different assault. In this case, he was accused of beating a 72-year-old neighbor two weeks before Knigge's death. That victim sustained multiple lacerations and a broken rib, according to court documents. Berman was captured on surveillance camera punching and kicking the victim repeatedly before taking his cellphone and fleeing the scene.
For this incident, Berman was arrested for second-degree assault and second-degree robbery.
At the time of his arrest, officers noted Berman had fresh injuries on his knuckles and feet that were similar to those found on assault suspects who used clenched fists while fighting, according to court documents.
DNA found on homicide victim
The Washington State Patrol Crime Response Team responded to the scene of Knigge's homicide and gathered evidence, including DNA swabs.
Then, when detectives were executing the arrest warrant for Berman on Aug. 5, they found dried blood inside his condominium. Detectives noted blood on a mattress cover, clothing items and two door handles inside.
Later, on Oct. 1, officers gathered a DNA sample from Berman to send to WSP for testing. They then received a DNA report Oct. 21, which showed Berman's DNA was found on Knigge's body.
Other related criminal history
According to probable cause documents, Berman also assaulted a customer while at a Safeway on Pacific Highway South Feb. 5. Then, April 9, he assaulted guests in the common area of his building and assaulted another guest in the parking lot of the building.
Berman remains in jail on $2 million bail. He is scheduled to be in court again for his arraignment at 9 a.m. Nov. 7.