News

Court reinstates charges against Steven Powell

Quck Facts:

  • Child Porn charges reinstated for Steven Powell
  • He can appeal to state supreme court
  • He could face a new trial

The Washington state appeals court has reinstated a child pornography charge against Steven Powell, meaning he could face another trial.

Powell, 64, was convicted in May 2012 of 14 counts of voyeurism for videotaping two neighbor girls from a window in the bedroom of his home in South Hill. The videos included images of the girls bathing and using the toilet.  Pierce County Superior Cour Judge Ronald Culpepper dismissed a charge of possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct as Powell’s trial was about to begin.

On Monday the appeals court based the decision on  the “trial court's failure to enter the required written findings of fact and conclusions of law.”

Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist said Powell now has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Washington State Supreme Court. If he does not, Lindquist said Powell will be formally charged and will face trial on the child pornography charge.

Powell is the father of Joshua Powell, a suspect in the December 2009 disappearance of his wife Susan Cox Powell from the couple’s home in Valley City, Utah. Police believe Joshua Powell killed Susan and disposed of her body. Her remains have not been found.

In February 2012 Joshua Powell killed himself and the couple’s two young sons in a fiery explosion at his home in Graham during a supervised visit. He had lost custody to Susan Powell’s parents because he was then considered a person of interest in his wife’s disappearance.

Steven Powell was released from prison in March after serving more than two and a half years for the voyeurism conviction. He is now a registered sex offender living in Tacoma.