Man pleads not guilty in fatal South Park attack

The man accused of crawling through the bathroom window of a South Park home July 19 and killing one woman and leaving her partner seriously injured pleaded not guilty Wednesday to several charges, including one that could result in the death penalty.

Isaiah Kalebu, 24, is charged with aggravated murder, first-degree rape, attempted first-degree murder and one count of burglary. King County Superior Court Judge Sharon Armstrong maintained his bail at $10 million.

Kalebu responded "yes" 14 times during Wednesday's arraignment when he was asked whether he understood the elements of the charges. He answered more quietly on whether he understood that the most serious charge included the use of a deadly weapon.

Kalebu's mother sat in the public viewing area while her son addressed the judge. After the arraignment, she declined to speak with reporters.

Defense attorney Ramona Brandes asked Armstrong to restrict the media from photographing Kalebu's face, saying his criminal rights override the media's need for access in this case. Armstrong compromised, allowing photographs of Kalebu from the back and from the neck down.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 26. Police and prosecutors say Kalebu brutally attacked and raped Teresa Butz, 39, and her partner, a 36-year-old woman. Butz died after being stabbed multiple times. Her partner was released from the hospital a day after the attacks.

King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg now has 30 days to decide whether he will seek the death penalty against Kalebu. The 30-day deadline, which is required under state law, could potentially be pushed back if Kalebu's defense attorneys need more time to prepare.

Satterberg said last month his office will consider a number of factors before deciding whether to pursue the death penalty, including Kalebu's mental state at the time of the attack. Last year, Kalebu was diagnosed as being bipolar.

Satterberg said the surviving victim of the South Park attack has given police no indication the man was having some sort of mental-illness-related episode when he sneaked into her house and viciously attacked her and Butz.

Kalebu is also a suspect in the deaths of his aunt and her tenant — Rachel Kalebu, 62, and John Jones 57 — in a July 9 fire at the aunt's University Place home. Pierce County sheriff's detectives questioned Kalebu at the scene of the blaze but released him.

The fire started a day after Kalebu's aunt filed for a protection order against him and made him leave the house.

Information from The Associated Press is included