Woman killed while driving in Tacoma was prowling car of suspected shooter, police say

The man accused of shooting and killing a Tacoma woman near the 6th Avenue district in early November told police he did it because she was stealing from him. Now he faces a murder charge.

James Reha came into court in a wheelchair, although there was no explanation why he needed it. The 28-year-old Reha is accused of killing Morgan Deines, 23.

According to the charges, Reha shot the woman because she was helping someone steal from his car.

Deines and another man were prowling cars in a neighborhood near 6th Avenue in Tacoma around 2:30 on the morning of Nov. 11, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit states Reha was drunk and sleeping in his car when the man opened the door and took his phone,
then went to his open trunk to take a speaker box.

When Reha woke up and grabbed a gun, investigators say the man ran and Deines started driving away.
Reha grabbed a gun and shot at Deines SUV,
killing her.

He was charged with second-degree murder during an appearance in Pierce County Superior Court on Wednesday.

“In Washington state, generally speaking, you cannot use deadly force to stop a non-violent property crime,” said Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist.

Reha faces a more serious charge then Tobin Panton, who prosecutors say sprayed gunfire in Bonney Lake earlier this month shooting at a car thief. A stray bullet struck and killed his neighbor Linda Green.

>> Read the breaking report: Woman fatally shot while driving in Tacoma

Like Reha, Panton wound up behind bars. He faces a charge of manslaughter.

“If you are the victim of a property crime, call law enforcement,” said Lindquist. “Let the professionals catch the criminals.”

Reha was ordered held on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He is prohibited from having guns because of previous felony convictions.

Cox Media Group