2 charged in man's beating death

A man who reportedly blamed his mother's boyfriend for helping send him to prison was charged Monday with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the beating death of the boyfriend.

Lamont Lee Edwards, 29, was arrested last week after the victim, Glenn Taa, died on Christmas Day, three months after he was severely beaten. A second man, Laris Lawrence Pete, was also charged Monday with first-degree manslaughter in connection with Taa's death.

Edwards had just finished serving about eight months in prison after he was convicted of harassing his mother, a Seattle resident.

According to charging papers in that case, he had threatened to kill his mother during a fight. Later, when Edwards returned to the home, Taa called 911 and Edwards was arrested.

Edwards was released from prison Sept. 20 and was ordered to have no contact with his mother.

But according to charging papers, Edwards went to see her Sept. 22. While at his mother's South Seattle home, he got into a confrontation with Taa, whom he allegedly blamed for his imprisonment because Taa had called the police on him, according to the charging papers.

Edwards and Pete, 27, who was also at the residence, began to hit and kick Taa, 39, a witness told police.

According to the police report, Taa begged others who were at the residence for help, but the beating continued until Edwards and Pete allegedly dragged an unconscious Taa into the alley behind the home.

Taa was found the next morning. The mother, who was gone during the beating, learned about it that next day from police.

Taa was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where it was discovered that he suffered a severe brain injury. He was eventually moved to a nursing facility, where he died Christmas Day.

Edwards and Pete are scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 18. Both have prior criminal convictions.

Natalie Singer: 206-464-2704 or nsinger@seattletimes.com