SEATTLE — A Black Diamond man accused of killing his mother could be released from a mental hospital.
But the state stepped in Thursday to prevent Cecil Walker from going free, for now.
For the second time in two years, Cecil Walker walked into King County court for the same crime.
The 54-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in the beating and stabbing death of his 86-year-old mother, Ella, in 2010.
One alleged motive was that he was upset she asked him to move out.
Walker's 2012 murder charge was dismissed after he was found incompetent to stand trial. He was sent to Western State Hospital.
But new court documents show the psychiatric hospital now wants Walker released into the community.
"(Walker) has shown improvement in his understanding of his situation, has control of his behavior and is capable of understanding and following the conditions of a less restrictive order," a psychologist said.
So the King County prosecutor's office is leveling charges to prevent any kind of supervised release. State law allows them to file the same charge again.
Walker's attorney entered a not guilty plea in court on Thursday and addressed Walker's mental state in court.
"For purposes of the arraignment, Mr. Walker is competent,” said Byron Ward. “We need other evaluations to decide is he competent for a trial."
Some of Walker's eight siblings and other family members were overcome with emotion when they heard Ella’s name in court.
"It's just been really devastating, and I think right now what's best is that we just allow the family to have closure because it's just been a terrible loss," said Walker's great-niece.
One of Walker’s sisters told KIRO 7 she fears for her safety, as he has threatened to kill her, too.
She wants her brother put away for life and said, “This has been a long time coming.”
According to court documents, Walker walked into the Black Diamond Police Department and reported a “dead body” at a home.
Once at the scene, officers said a bloodied Cecil Walker said, “She’s in the house ... It had to happen.”
Inside, they found Ella Walker, dead in a chair. A 12-inch knife was resting on her chest.
Ella Walker had been beaten and stabbed in the neck and eye several times, according to court records.
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