Over Nine Years in Prison for Everett Woman’s Murder

In a deeply troubling case that gripped the city of Everett, Washington, Jamel Alexander was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. The conviction comes nearly six years following the tragic death of Shawna Brune and two years after his initial first-degree murder conviction was overturned.

The events unfolded on October 12, 2019, when a man discovered Shawna Brune’s body nude and marked by shoeprints in a parking lot near Highway 99. Security footage revealed her walking into the woods with Jamel Alexander hours before she was found. His DNA was found at the scene, connecting him to the crime.

Alexander had initially claimed he paid Brune for sex and denied any involvement in her death, stating that she was alive when he left. However, his conviction on first-degree murder charges in 2021 was overturned due to evidence suppression issues, leading to a plea of guilty to second-degree murder under a plea bargain.

During the sentencing hearing, Shawna’s family expressed their grief and urged for maximum penalties, highlighting the brutality of her death. Alexander’s defense argued for leniency based on his circumstances and claimed innocence. Ultimately, Judge William Steffener sentenced him to 113 months, considering both the crime’s severity and other case factors.

This tragic incident underscores not only the personal loss experienced by those who knew Shawna but also broader discussions around justice and systemic issues within legal proceedings. Alexander’s sentencing marks a significant moment in a complex case that has spanned several years of trials and appeals.

For more detailed coverage on this case and its implications, please refer to HeraldNet.com.