A defense attorney representing King County Assessor John Wilson appeared before a District Court judge in the King County Jail courtroom in Downtown Seattle Thursday afternoon.
Wilson was arrested by Seattle police Wednesday evening on investigation of stalking and booked into the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle. Wilson, who is running for King County Executive, has been under a temporary restraining order since May. His former domestic partner, Lee Keller, has accused him of stalking and harassment.
Wilson waived his right to attend the first appearance hearing, at which a judge hears from the prosecution and defense and reviews the police report to determine probable cause for the arrest and set bail.
Judge Jill Klinge found probable cause for felony domestic violence stalking and a misdemeanor violation of a protection order, then set bail at $50,000, issued a no-contact order and required Wilson to surrender any weapons he owns.
A second hearing will be held July 8 to determine if charges will be filed.
King County deputy prosecuting attorney Rama Bankesly had requested Wilson be held on $100,000 bail and asked the court to require electronic home monitoring, in addition to the no-contact order and weapons surrender, arguing that Wilson’s multiple violations of his restraining order warranted it.
According to the police report, Wilson violated the restraining order on June 30 by driving in front of Keller’s home. He also violated the no-contact provision by texting Keller that it was nice to see her after a Zoom court proceeding during which both parties were instructed not to communicate with each other.
On July 2, Seattle police once again responded to a call from Keller that Wilson had driven by her house. While an officer was taking Keller’s statement, Wilson drove past and did a U-turn to leave. The officer stopped him, and Wilson said that he had come to the area for “official business” and was considering purchasing a home nearby.
Keller spoke at Thursday’s court proceedings, at times in tears. She told the judge that Wilson’s repeated violations of the restraining order had “become more bold and aggressive” and alleged that Wilson had been lurking around her car when it was parked at the State Capitol; had taken photos of her while she was driving her car; and was spotted by her neighbors watching her in her home.
“I’m afraid to leave my home, I’m afraid in grocery stores, I’m afraid when I attend events for business,” Keller said. “I go out of my way to avoid places that I think he might be, but I can’t get away from him.”
“John is clearly going to continue to escalate his behavior as he continues to do this, both online and in person, if he’s not stopped and in custody,” she added. “I’m asking the court please to ensure my safety.”
Wilson’s attorney, John Polito, requested that Wilson be released on personal recognizance, which allows someone to leave jail without bail on their promise to return for future court hearings and comply with judge’s orders.
Polito argued that as a 71-year-old with no criminal history who’s long worked for and lived in the county, Wilson is not a flight risk. Polito pointed out that in the police report, Keller stated Wilson had never physically assaulted her, nor threatened to.
Judge Klinge agreed that Wilson did not pose a significant flight risk, but noted that Wilson had violated the temporary restraining order multiple times.
“I have serious concerns about whether Mr. Wilson is interested in following court orders, and I have concerns that he would not follow my order to have no contact with Ms. Keller any more than he would follow the civil judge’s order,” said Klinge.
As such, she set bail at $50,000 to “help ensure Mr. Wilson has a financial stake in making sure that he follows all the conditions” required by her order.
King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney said Seattle police have not yet referred the case to their office for felony charging, but expect police investigators to do so soon.
If charges are referred by police, McNerthney said King County will hand the case to the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest in the proceedings. The King County Prosecutor’s civil division represents all departments including the Assessor.
The arrest and legal proceedings are the latest escalation after months of allegations of Wilson’s stalking and harassment.
In June, the King County Council unanimously voted “No confidence” in Wilson and called on him to resign as assessor. The Council does not have the authority to remove Wilson from his elected position, and his current four-year term ends Jan 1. 2028. King County voters could pursue a recall election.
Polito, Wilson’s attorney, said Thursday that Wilson will neither resign nor leave the race.
“There’s been hue and cry for him to quit,” said Polito in his remarks to the judge. “He’s not going to. He’s going to face these charges. He’s going to exercise his right to due process.”
County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay, both running against Wilson for King County Executive, led the calls for his resignation and for him to quit the race. Both Councilmembers renewed those calls after his arrest Wednesday.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has also called on Wilson to resign.
