Washington Man Accused of Murder After 8-Year Sentence Reduction Linked to "Blake Decision"

Seattle, WA – A man whose prison sentence for a violent assault was significantly reduced following the Washington State Supreme Court's "Blake decision" is now accused of first-degree murder and dismemberment in the death of his girlfriend. Willie James McCoo Jr., 55, was arrested on July 7 in connection with the killing of 31-year-old Kiara Sewell, whose dismembered body was discovered on June 15 in a North Seattle apartment.

McCoo's original 28.5-year sentence for a 2005 assault, where he stabbed a previous romantic partner multiple times, was impacted by the 2021 "State v. Blake" ruling. This landmark decision declared Washington's strict liability drug possession statute unconstitutional, leading to the retroactive vacating of thousands of drug convictions. In McCoo's case, nine prior drug possession convictions had contributed to his offender score, a metric used to determine sentencing ranges.

In 2023, McCoo successfully petitioned the court for a sentence reduction based on the Blake decision, which effectively removed these drug convictions from his record. His sentence was subsequently reduced to 20 years, resulting in his release from custody in August 2024, approximately eight years earlier than his original release date. At the time of Sewell's death, McCoo was under community custody supervision by the Department of Corrections.

Authorities allege McCoo murdered Sewell with premeditated intent, using a knife. Surveillance footage reportedly shows McCoo and Sewell entering the apartment building together on June 8 and 9. After June 10, the day Sewell is believed to have been killed, McCoo was seen leaving the building repeatedly with large duffel bags and garbage sacks. A matching bag, a machete, and a hunting knife were later recovered from his work locker. The King County Medical Examiner concluded Sewell's injuries were consistent with blows from a machete.

King County Superior Court Judge Jill Klinge set McCoo's bail at $4 million, citing his significant danger to the community and extensive history of violent offenses. Prosecutors have indicated that McCoo is also a person of interest in another murder investigation. This case has reignited public debate regarding the broader implications of the "Blake decision" on public safety and offender release protocols in Washington State.