Our news partners at The Seattle Times report that the man who killed a Magnolia teenage neighbor in 1982 will be released from prison this year. John Nicholas Athan wasn’t arrested until 21 years after the crime. He was considered a suspect from the beginning, but for 20 years there wasn’t enough physical evidence to link him to the slaying. He was finally convicted of second-degree murder in 2004.
Athan was 14 when he strangled Kristen Sumstad, his 13-year-old neighbor. The girl’s half-nude body was found on Nov. 12, 1982, inside a cardboard box behind a television-repair shop in Magnolia.
Athan is now 43 and he has served seven years for the crime. The parole board has approved Athan’s release from prison as early as spring.
The Times reports that King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, who joined the victim’s family in objecting to Athan’s release, said he is disappointed with the board’s decision.
"I don’t think seven years is long enough for a murder. I think he did get rewarded for running away and hiding for 20 years," Satterberg said on Tuesday.
I agree with the prosecutor. If I was the victim’s family I would be very disappointed in his release. Not much of a punishment for murder.
That is disgusting. If our corrupt judges will not deliver justice, who will?
This has nothing to do with a judge’s decision, it is the parole board’s decision. You might want to understand the legal system better before you disparage it. In my experience, we have outstanding judges in Washington.
This has nothing to do with a judge’s decision, it is the parole board’s decision. You might want to understand the legal system better before you disparage it. In my experience, we have outstanding judges in Washington.
I remember this case so well because we were the same age, so I was very glad when they finally found the guy. I absolutely agree with Dan Satterberg on this. AWFUL decision.
Send him to the Purina plant in Iowa…..where justice can be “served”.
Send him to the Purina plant in Iowa…..where justice can be “served”.
I’ll be in a minority here, but I support his release. “& years is not enough for a murder” is something I would generally agree with–except here. One has to look at thecircumstances– the offender was 14 years old and should have been treated as a juvenile. Further 28 years has passed and growing up and the passage of time makes it highly unlikely he will reoffend. He does not appear to be one of the bad asses that have have recently been discharged.
Insane…7 years for killing someone? Also, he had years on the lamb, he enjoyed his freedom for awhile, how about constraining his?
If people knew the sentencing for killing someone was 7 years, what deterrent would there be to prevent a future action?
Welcome to Seattle:
Murder – 7 Years
Various drug crimes – > 10 years
This is a heartwrenching situation. However, our legal system is not just about punishment, it is also about rehabilitation. In order to deny a prisoner parole once s/he becomes eligible, the Board must find that the prisoner remains a current threat to society. It is very difficult for the prisoner to overcome the presumption of continued dangerousness. Here, the Board must have found that Athan no longer posed a threat to society. It is hard to stomach, but if we as a society really do believe in rehabilitation, then we have to let the prisoner go once s/he is eligible for parole and has been rehabilitated.
What about accountability?
Accountability, accepting responsibility for crime and harm done to victim, victim’s family, and society as a whole are also part of the formula. I am not suggesting that I think the parole board made the correct decision (I don’t know nearly enough about the circumstances to be so bold) but I think it is important to understand the process. It is easy to have a knee-jerk response to such a tragic situation.
Accountability, accepting responsibility for crime and harm done to victim, victim’s family, and society as a whole are also part of the formula. I am not suggesting that I think the parole board made the correct decision (I don’t know nearly enough about the circumstances to be so bold) but I think it is important to understand the process. It is easy to have a knee-jerk response to such a tragic situation.
According to the press, he has never once admitted guilt with the rape or murder. How does that make you eligible for parole?
Like I said, I do not know the specifics of this case. But, I would not put it past the press to get it wrong. I am frequently amazed at how inaccurate reporting is on cases on which I do know the details. Regardless, I am so sorry for the victim’s family’s pain, which I can only assume has been compounded by the Board’s decision.
Regardless of whether or not guilt has been admitted, there needs to be punishment that suits the crime. I support rehabilitation efforts, however, believe strongly that a person needs to pay the consequences for the choices they make first! Otherwise what deterrent is there?
PROTIP: If you don’t know the specifics, perhaps you shouldn’t comment.
Oh, you mean how you know the specifics?
you’re looking for utopia guest. good luck with that.
Let’s not forget that he also raped her after he killed her and then dumped her body in a box like a piece of garbage. I’m not even sure he has admitted his guilt yet, isn’t that typically the first step in rehabilitation? In the news yesterday a serial burglar was sentenced to 6 years. This guy gets 7 for a murder and rape. Pathetic.
Disgusting. I remember this so clearly and the fear we all went through. Not only that, we knew her and her family personally. She went to Blaine with my sisters. What is now Bill the Butcher was the T.V. store where she was dumped. This is VERY real stuff.
This guy is obviously smart enough to do things and get away…..that scares the crap out of me.
Wow 7 years for murder. This is disgusting even for liberal Seattle where criminals are teated like victims.
Minor or not, 7 years sends the wrong message. I get that there was a lack of evidence but he did murder her. Do we reward this behavior just because he fooled the parole board? I know I don’t want him moving next to me and what if this had been your kid? But I admit, I don’t believe in rehab….
this may sound insensitive to some, but there are worse people out there that i would rather have locked up. it’s a sad but true situation in our world now. plan on seeing more and more of these similar situations.