King County Prosecutor Not Seeking Death Penalty for Renton Man Accused of Murdering Grandparents

Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg announced in a statement Friday that he will not be filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in the aggravated murder prosecution of Michael Chadd Boysen, who is accused of murdering his grandparents Norma and Robert Taylor last March in the Renton area.

Boysen, 27, is charged with two counts of Aggravated Murder in the First Degree.

When deciding whether to file written notice of a special sentencing proceeding to determine whether or not the death penalty should be imposed, state law requires that the prosecutor review an aggravated murder case and determine whether there is reason to believe that there are not sufficient mitigating circumstances to merit leniency.

Earlier this summer, Boysen's attorneys had indicated his treatment in King County Jail since his arrest has caused him to lose the will to live and he was reportedly actively discouraging them from providing mitigating materials to fight a potential death sentence. A hearing to address those conditions earlier in August was continued for later in the month.

According to a statement from the Prosecutor's office, Satterberg's decision included an extensive review of the case and consultation with the victims’ family. If convicted as charged, the only other sentence for aggravated murder is life in prison without the possibility of release.

Boysen is currently scheduled for trial on January 27 before Judge Douglass North at the King County Courthouse.