Convicted killer attacks woman walking in Shelton

SHELTON, Wash. — A woman was attacked Monday while walking in Shelton and later found out the attacker was a convicted killer.

The woman spoke with KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Richard Thompson about the attack. Upon her request, KIRO 7 will not identify her.

“Grabbed me from behind and threw me down the hill,” said the woman. “He put his hand over my mouth and I bit his finger and I kicked him off me, I just kept screaming, ‘Help!,’”

The woman said she fought for her life and was able to free herself, then run up a hill.

A Mason County deputy was driving down the road and found the screaming woman.

The attacker was captured nearby, and the woman learned he committed a murder in Snohomish County.

James Shelton, the attacker, is a convicted killer released two years ago after serving 35 years in prison for strangling a girl in 1974.

“As soon as I knew that, I really knew I could have been dead,” said the woman. “If I could never see my kids’ faces again, I can’t imagine what they would go through.”

The woman is thankful she fought and survived the attack, but every time she closes her eyes, she replays the incident.

“I haven’t slept for three days. I shake, it replays over and over in my head, and I can’t make it go away,” said the woman.

James is currently being held in the Mason County Jail on charges of kidnapping and assault.

KIRO 7 learned in the two years that he has been out of prison and on state supervision, he has had only a couple minor infractions.

KIRO