Reichert voices concerns to state about Ridgway handling

U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, testified before a state Senate Law and Justice Committee in Olympia to discuss concerns regarding how the state Department of Corrections (DOC) handled the Gary Ridgway prison transfer.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Monday, November 23, 2015 6:37pm
  • News
U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert

U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert

U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, testified before a state Senate Law and Justice Committee in Olympia to discuss concerns regarding how the state Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Indeterminate Sentencing Review Board (ISRB) handled two high-profile murder cases in which the congressman was intimately involved.

One case involves the prison transfer of nation’s most prolific serial killer, Gary Ridgway, or the “Green River Killer.” The next concerns the ISRB’s decision to examine the potential early release of convicted murderer Timothy Pauley.

Reichert made the following statement after testifying on Nov. 20, according to a media release from his office:

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“I appreciate the Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee’s invitation to testify on the Department of Corrections’ consideration to release Timothy Pauley, a vicious murderer who is currently serving three life sentences, and the transfer of the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway, the most prolific serial killing in U.S. history. Brave members of the Dowell and Oie families, whose lives were torn apart by the gruesome triple homicide at the Barn Door Tavern 35 years ago, also testified about the devastation and pain Pauley has caused them over the past three decades.

“The disrespect the DOC and ISRB have shown the victims of both Pauley and Ridgway is unacceptable. The process severely lacks transparency, and these two decisions have proven major changes are needed.”

Prior to being elected to Congress, Reichert served in law enforcement for 33 years, including eight years as King County Sheriff, and led the task force that caught Ridgeway, who is believed to have murdered around 70 women.

Additionally, at the age of 29, Reichert investigated the Barn Door Tavern murders, which he recalls as one of the most brutal crime scenes he has ever investigated throughout his three-decade career.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

File Photo
Kent Police officer shoots, injures man in Des Moines

Feb. 14 incident under review by Valley Independent Investigative Team

People line SE 272nd Street in Covington on Presidents Day, Feb. 17 to protest many of the actions by the Trump administration. COURTESY PHOTO, Ron Auerbach
People line Covington street to protest Trump, Musk actions

One of many protests across the nation against ‘the anti-democratic and illegal actions’

Charlene Honda at the Day of Remembrance on Feb. 8, 2025, at the Washington State Fairgrounds. Photo by Bruce Honda
Federal Way woman recalls her time in U.S. concentration camp

‘It’s good for people to hear what happened so that it never happens again.’

t
Man fatally shot by Kent Police had high blood alcohol level

Crime lab test results show 0.27 blood concentration level in August 2024 shooting at apartments

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent
Construction set in Kent for 74th Ave. S. and Willis Street

Crews to install traffic islands, curbing at busy intersection

t
Kent Police Blotter: Jan. 26 to Feb. 6

Incidents include vehicle prowls, carjacking arrest, police pursuits, shots fired

Kentlake High School. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Former Kentlake High School teacher pleads guilty to sex charge

Jesse Webb, 46, pleads guilty to communication with a minor for immoral purposes

t
Kent School Board appoints Teresa Gregory to vacant seat

Gregory selected from among 7 finalists to replace Awale Farah

Karen Keiser. COURTESY PHOTO
Former state Sen. Karen Keiser appointed to state Exchange health board

Health Benefit Exchange formed as part of Affordable Care Act

Crews on the SR 509 Completion Project in south King County install the framework for a new bus stop on SR 516, also known as Kent-Des Moines Road. The SR 509 Completion Project includes new or improved connections to existing transit centers and stops. COURTESY PHOTO, WSDOT
Eastbound SR 516 ramp to I-5 in Kent to close for 4 months

Drivers heading to northbound I-5 will use a temporary left turn lane

Courtesy Photo, King County
Tacoma boy, 17, charged with murder in November 2024 Kent case

Reportedly fired six shots into vehicle that killed 21-year-old SeaTac man on West Hill

t
CW series ‘Police 24/7’ features Kent indecent exposure case

Department also part of future TV episodes after crews responded on calls with police in 2024