A Seattle man accused of fatally shooting a neighbor in their downtown apartment building on Thursday had previously claimed the victim once fired a gunshot at him.
However, that claim could never be verified, so charges in the alleged shooting were eventually dropped, according to King County prosecutors.
Willie Larry Jones, 37, was booked on investigation of homicide in connection with the death Thursday of Joseph “Karat” Parker, 34. On Friday, a judge found probable cause to hold Jones in lieu of $1?million bail.
The deadline for prosecutors to file charges is next week.
Jones told investigators that he went to Parker’s apartment at The Glen Hotel, 1413 Third Ave., around 9 a.m. Thursday “and had words with him,” according to a Seattle police report included in an affidavit of probable cause. Jones told investigators that Parker had a gun on him that morning, the report said.
About 45 minutes later, Parker went to Jones’ apartment and knocked on the door, police said.
“Jones reported that he opened the door and shot Parker,” Detective Donna Stangeland wrote in her report. “After shooting the victim, Jones said he went into the hallway and told other residents that he shot the victim.”
When interviewed by police, Jones said that he had bought the gun as protection from Parker, according to the report.
In the earlier alleged shooting, Parker was charged with second-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm after Jones claimed he fired through his apartment window.
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In August 1998, D-Sane formally started Street Level Records and F.T.S. went on to release their debut album, gaining an incredible buzz in the Puget Sound area and selling over 1,000 copies. For a fledgling indie label and group, it was a major accomplishment. This was confirmed when SLR & F.T.S received their first national media attention by being named in the Rap Sheet Magazine 1998 Regional Round–Up as one of the few Seattle groups to “shake things up.” Around the same time, Villain opted to leave the group for reasons unknown and F.T.S. was once again 5 members. Following the success of their first album, F.T.S. expanded the group roster by drafting Byrdie & YG Red. D-Sane would also reconcile with Smoke Dog & Brazy-J, bring them back into the group for a total of 9 artists. They immediately went to work on a follow-up album entitled “Money Motivated,” which was released in March of 2000. Demand for the new album was so great, Sam Goody stores were taking reservations several months prior to it’s release, a first for any Seattle based Hip-Hop group or record label.
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