Seattle man pleads guilty to slaying developmentally disabled roommate

A West Seattle man who beat to death his developmentally disabled roommate in April 2007 pleaded guilty this afternoon to second-degree murder

Brian Sheridan Walsh faces 10 to 18 years in prison when he is sentenced. King County prosecutors said they will seek the high end of the sentencing range.

Walsh stabbed and strangled Harold B. Reside inside the West Seattle apartment the men shared. Reside, 44, was in a wheelchair. Walsh was initially charged with first-degree murder, but pleaded to second-degree murder in a plea agreement.

According to charging papers, Walsh, Reside and another man, Craig Steele, had been drinking at the apartment when Walsh became angry at Reside and accused him of being a drain on the welfare system. Walsh began to beat Reside, and Steele, who tried to intervene, also was beaten before he fled, charging papers said.

Police said they found Reside dead and discovered Walsh, his hands bloodied, hiding in some bushes several blocks away.

Under the plea agreement, an assault charge that Walsh also faced for the beating of Steele, was dropped.