FALL CITY, Wash. — The 15-year-old boy suspected of killing his parents and three siblings at their home in Fall City in October has retained private counsel, according to paperwork filed in King County Superior Court.
The teen will no longer be represented by public defenders.
The change in representation was done ahead of next year's hearing that will determine whether the case is tried in adult court. The case will have a status conference on Jan. 8, 2025, followed by a hearing in June 4, 2025.
The 15-year-old was charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder with a firearm enhancement. He has not yet entered a plea. KING 5 is not naming him because he has not been charged as an adult.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office previously requested the case be moved to adult court given the severity of the crime and the difference in sentencing guidelines.
On Oct. 21, five members of the Humiston family were found dead. Katheryn Humiston, 7; Joshua Humiston, 9; Benjamin Humiston, 13; and parents Sarah Humiston, 42, and Mark Humiston, 43, all died from gunshots wounds. Four were shot in the head, according to the medical examiner.
An 11-year-old young girl, a daughter of the Humistons, survived and has since been released from the hospital.
According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, anytime a 15-year-old is charged with aggravated first-degree murder, it is initially filed in juvenile court, however, prosecutors can ask a judge to move the case to adult court.
Prosecutors asked the judge for a hearing on June 4, 2025 where both parties will provide evidence. Ultimately, it is up to the judge to decide on whether the case will be moved to adult court, which has different sentencing guidelines.
In juvenile court, if found guilty, the 15-year-old would be held at a facility for juveniles until the age of 25, which would be less than 10 years from sentencing, and released with no further sanctions.
If the case is moved to adult court and the 15-year-old is convicted, the sentence set by lawmakers is 25 years to life with presumptions of release after 25 years, which the state's sentence review board would later determine.
The 15-year-old would be held at a juvenile facility until he turns 25 and would then be transferred to the Department of Corrections.