Noble pleads guilty to vehicular assault, says he will resign as assessor

King County Assessor Scott Noble pleaded guilty this morning to one count of vehicular assault and announced he plans to resign next month, in connection with a wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 that injured him and two women.

"I take personal responsibility and accept personal accountability for my actions on January 18, 2009. Today, I will be pleading guilty to vehicular assault," Noble wrote in a letter delivered to Metropolitan King County Council Chair Dow Constantine before the plea hearing.

"I apologize to the victims, the citizens of King County, the County Council, and staff of the Department of Assessments," the letter read. It said he would resign "shortly before sentencing," scheduled for June 19.

Prosecutors recommended a nine-month jail sentence. It will be up to King County Superior Court Judge Michael Fox to decide whether to accept the recommendation, which also includes restitution to the victims, a $1,000 fine and other fees, and additional conditions.

Noble did not waive his right to argue for a lighter sentence. The standard sentencing range is three to nine months.

Noble, 58, has served in the elected assessor's post for 16 years. His term is up in 2011. He was elected as a Democrat, but voters last fall made the office nonpartisan.

Standing beside his attorney, John W. Wolfe, Noble faced Judge Michael Hayden — often looking down — and answered the judge's questions with "Yes, sir," and "No, sir."

The judge and Noble's attorney both said the consequences for Noble include losing his job, which, under state law, he would have to forfeit when judgment is entered and he is sentenced next month.

"The consequences of this guilty plea are more substantial than they are for someone who would normally stand before me and make this plea of guilt," Hayden told the assessor.

"Yes, sir," Noble replied.

"That's why the press is here," the judge said.

Noble declined to answer questions from reporters. "He still has significant health issues. He's working through the emotional issues, the accountability and responsibility issues," his attorney, Wolfe, told reporters outside the courtroom.

Wolfe declined to say whether Noble is undergoing treatment for alcoholism.

Noble was severely injured and two women in another car suffered broken bones in the Jan. 18 head-on collision. Blood drawn from Noble at the scene showed an alcohol level of 0.22 percent, nearly three times the limit, the State Patrol said.

He pleaded not guilty March 19 to two counts of vehicular assault, but last month he asked for a hearing to change his plea.

The expected timing of Noble's resignation leaves time for voters to choose a new assessor in November, but not for an August primary. Noble's chief deputy, Rich Medved, will temporarily take charge of the office when he resigns, and the County Council will then appoint someone to serve until after the November election.

Medved said Tuesday he planned to run for the office if Noble resigned, and Seattle Port Commissioner Lloyd Hara has said he is considering running.

The state Attorney General's Office is prosecuting Noble at the request of the county Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which represents Noble's office in county legal matters.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com