FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A suspect accused of attempting to murder a 71-year-old man in a Federal Way park by using a hatchet must first undergo a competency hearing, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Paleti Anikesi Veniale II is facing one count of first-degree attempted murder. Veniale was booked into jail in late December 2023 and remains in custody on $1 million bail.
His previous criminal history includes various assault charges dating back to 2014, documents show.
The 71-year-old man who was attacked was intubated and in critical condition for a week after the incident, charging documents state.
Video surveillance footage of the incident shows Veniale getting off of a bus and crossing the street into a park. He is then seen following the victim as the man walked around Town Square Park in Federal Way. At one point, Veniale allegedly runs up behind the man and strikes him in the head as he is standing and when he falls to the ground documents state.
Detectives found a bloody hatchet and a black jacket similar to the one the suspect was wearing in the parking lot of a hotel, documents state.
At the hospital, doctors told detectives that the victim had a 50/50 chance of survival and that if he did survive, “his quality of life would not be the same as before,” charging documents note.
Veniale was identified by a Kent police officer who recognized his photo in a police bulletin from previous cases in King County. Police contacted Veniale when he was at Harborview for an unrelated incident and upon being read his Miranda rights, Veniale asked for a lawyer.
In February, The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services issued a competency evaluation report for Veniale which states he recently suffered a traumatic brain injury during an arrest. The report found Veniale was not competent to assist in his defense
His next competency review hearing is scheduled for June 5, which also coincides with a second competency hearing for another pending case.
