Client arrested in beating that killed Auburn lawyer

By Nguyen Huy Vu
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Police did not release the suspect's name.

He was arrested near his home at 1 p.m. after police watched him there for five hours, police said.

William W. Messer, 57, was found dead in his office Monday night after an apparent struggle. Investigators found the body after a friend called police officers and asked them to check on him because he had not been home and hadn't returned phone calls.

Police said the suspect was one of Messer's clients and met with Messer at 5:30 p.m., Monday. The two argued, and the suspect left Messer's office at 1340 M St. S.E. He returned later and clubbed Messer to death, according to a police news release.

Auburn police spokesman Bob Karnofski said investigators know what weapon was used in the killing and yesterday filed warrants to search the suspect's home and vehicle.

Karnofski said the man became a person of interest after police looked at Messer's schedule and interviewed witnesses and clients.

"One of the things that clued us in was the argument the two were involved in the evening he was killed," he said.

Nguyen Huy Vu: 206-464-3292 or vnguyen2@seattletimes.com

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