Judge finds probable cause in fatal stabbing following eviction notice
https://komonews.com/news/local/judge-finds-probable-cause-in-fatal-stabbing-following-eviction-notice
SEATLTE - A Seattle woman is facing a murder charge after a violent incident that ended in a six-hour standoff with police.
>Michael Roberts, 46, who identifies as a woman, waved her first court appearance today.
“I do find probable cause for murder in the first degree and one count of attempted murder in the first degree,” said the judge who appeared by zoom in the courtroom at the King County Jail Thursday.
>Prosecutors say Roberts stabbed two employees at the Centennial Tower and Courtyard Apartments on Seattle’s 4th Avenue Wednesday after learning she had been evicted by the King County Sheriff’s Department.
The property manager was injured and the service manager Stan Tzankov died according to an email sent to the tenants in the building.
Court documents say Roberts used a kitchen knife to stab the victims.
Resident Kazi Zaman told KOMO News he saw Tzankov just an hour before the violence played out.
“I didn’t know that was last time I would see him,” Zaman said. “I said hi and he also said hi to me.”
Tzankov was the longtime service manager the Centennial and beloved by residents who say he always played Santa at the annual Christmas Party.
“Our Santa is gone, said Zaman. “We won’t see him anymore.”
>According to the eviction documents filed in Superior Court, police had been called to the Centennial before over Roberts, adding she attempted stabbed the late service manager during an inspection at an earlier time.
>Court documents also noted drug and mental health issues, saying the reason for the eviction included tampering with the fire alarm, putting other neighbors at risk and refusing to remedy any damages.
Neighbors say the eviction did not come fast enough and now a member of their community will never return.
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” said Zaman.
>Court documents show the Centennial’s property manager received a harassment order against Roberts earlier this month. She is recovering at home from her injuries.
Roberts is being held on $3 million bond and will be back in court on Sept. 28.
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