Maleng's chief of staff will serve as acting prosecutor

Dan Satterberg has been named acting prosecuting attorney for King County following the death last week of Norm Maleng. Satterberg, who has served as Maleng's chief of staff since 1990, will be formally named to the position by the Metropolitan King County Council at a meeting this afternoon.

The Republican Party then will have 60 days to submit three names for interim prosecuting attorney, who would serve until an election is held in November, when voters will decide who will serve the remainder of Maleng's term, which expires in December 2010.

Satterberg is a graduate of Highline High School in Burien, the University of Washington and the UW Law School. He lives in Normandy Park with his wife, Linda Norman, a corporate attorney, and their two children James, 15, and Katie, 11.

Maleng, King County prosecutor for 28 years and one of the most respected leaders in the state's criminal justice system, died Thursday night of cardiac arrest after collapsing during an event at the University of Washington. He was 68.

Maleng, a Republican who was elected prosecuting attorney in 1978 and had won re-election ever since, oversaw some of the county's worst criminal cases, ranging from the Wah Mee Massacre in 1983 to the Green River murder case that culminated in 2003 with the sentencing of Gary Ridgway.

Maleng also was one of the architects of the state's Sentencing Reform Act, which brought more uniformity to sentencing. He worked for tougher state laws concerning sex predators and repeat offenders. He supported reducing sentences for some drug crimes and expanding treatment options for addicts.

A public memorial service for Maleng is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at Hec Edmundson Pavilion at the University of Washington.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com