SEATTLE — Sobs filled a King County courtroom Thursday morning as a woman accused of fatally stabbing a Good Samaritan was charged with second-degree murder.
The deadly encounter happened on April 2 in a parking lot off Aurora Avenue near the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop. Investigators said Karen Latham, 23, flagged down 54-year-old Zerabuk Habtemariam near Aurora Avenue North and North 137th Street and asked for a ride to a fast food restaurant. Habtemariam agreed.
Once they arrived at the parking lot, Latham asked Habtemariam for money, investigators said. Habtemariam gave Latham $5. She protested and pulled out a switchblade.
Latham told detectives that Habtemariam reached over to let her out of his car, and she stabbed him. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said he bled to death.
Latham’s appearance in court Thursday was too much for some to bear. Some of those who knew and loved Habtemarian shed tears and then sobbed.
Latham entered a plea of not guilty. She remains held on $1 million bail.
Habtemariam’s family and friends declined to comment as they left.
KIRO
