Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

The Blotter

The Times' criminal justice team looks behind the scenes and behind the headlines.

Blog Home | RSS feeds Subscribe

July 9, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Comments (30)     E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Renton man convicted of killing man during fireworks dispute

Posted by John de Leon

-- From Times staff reporter Jennifer Sullivan:

A King County jury this morning found a Renton man guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting another man during a Fourth of July celebration in 2007.

Yobachi Frazier was accused of shooting Don Dowlen in the parking lot of Ezell's Chicken in the Skyway neighborhood. Frazier, a felon who was on state Department of Corrections supervision at the time of the shooting, was arrested several weeks later in Anchorage.

According to King County prosecutors, Frazier and Dowlen got into an argument after Dowlen kicked over one of Frazier's fireworks. Dowlen was apparently upset because the firework was ignited too close to his girlfriend's car, court documents said.

During the argument, Frazier pulled out a gun and fired nine times -- each round struck Dowlen.

The defense argued that all of the witnesses to the shooting had been drunk at the time and were mistaken when they identified Frazier as the shooter.

"We're just happy it's over," said Dowlen's sister, Felicia Meneese. "He was a good man. He loved his family. He loved his mother."

Frazier, 30, was charged with second-degree murder soon after he was arrested. The charge was upgraded to first-degree murder earlier this year. Frazier has prior convictions for assault and drug possession.

The jury had been deliberating since Wednesday morning.

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Comments (30)
he should be a death penalty candidate, shooting someone 9 times over fireworks, that is phsycotic. Unfortunately this POS is going to suck...  Posted on July 9, 2009 at 2:19 PM by beretta92fs. Jump to comment
A felon with a gun - 1st degree murder - HANG HIM IN A PUBLIC PLACE FOR ALL TO SEE  Posted on July 9, 2009 at 1:52 PM by BurnGerman69. Jump to comment
Shooting somebody over fireworks? I am speechless. This monster is a perfect candidate for the death penalty. Hopefully the victims family gets...  Posted on July 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM by electric1966. Jump to comment

Recent entries

Nov 8, 09 - 9:43 AM
PhinneyWood.com: Meeting on Greenwood arsons planned for Tuesday

Nov 8, 09 - 8:44 AM
State reviewing report recommending prison downsizing

Nov 7, 09 - 3:39 PM
Seattle police update on Brenton homicide investigation

Nov 6, 09 - 12:00 PM
Des Moines man convicted of threatening Boeing, oil companies

Nov 5, 09 - 6:18 PM
More information on Friday's procession for Timothy Brenton

Advertising

Advertising

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 

Advertising

Browse the archives

July 2009

June 2009

May 2009

April 2009

March 2009

February 2009