A man and woman charged in the murder of a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy were ordered held on several million dollars bail after pleading not guilty to his death.
Court documents show accused killer Frank Pawul traded texts with the woman on the night deputy Daniel McCartney was murdered, talking about his death.
Pawul along with Henry Carden and Brenda Troyer allegedly plotted a home invasion robbery at a house in Frederickson late Sunday night. But when people inside the home called 911 for help, McCartney arrived. The two men spotted him and a chase ensued.
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McCartney was shot and killed. Carden was struck by several rounds fired by the deputy, but he actually died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Although evidence indicates it was the 35-year-old Carden who shot and killed McCartney, Pawul and Troyer both face a charge of first-degree murder because they were allegedly part of the planned robbery that led to his death.
“In Washington you don’t have to pull the trigger to be responsible for murder,” said Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist,
A probable cause affidavit filed in support of the charges quotes a text from the 32-year-old Pawul to Troyer after she sent a text telling him that Carden and McCartney were dead. Pawul responded, "so Hank killed a cop and himself," according to the affidavit.
The 52-year-old Troyer is accused of acting as the getaway driver for Pawul and Carden, driving them to the home then waiting at a nearby supermarket. The affidavit indicates there was another woman with her in the car, but when Troyer heard sirens, "she kicked this woman out of the car before meeting with a friend." That third possible suspect has not been identified or arrested.
“I want to assure the community that we’re going to hold accountable everyone who was involved in the death of deputy Dan McCartney,” said Lindquist, adding, “we’re not done yet.”
Pawul’s bail was set at $5 million, Troyer’s at $2 million.
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