Judge orders Washington state to pay felon with 22 prior convictions nearly $37,000 because he was denied mental health services while awaiting trial for first-degree murder

Judge orders Washington state to pay felon with 22 prior convictions nearly $37,000 because he was denied mental health services while awaiting trial for first-degree murder



A felon in Washington with nearly two dozen prior convictions has been ordered to receive nearly $37,000 from the state because he has been detained in jail rather than a mental health facility while he awaits trial for three more felony charges, including first-degree murder.

Alexander Jay, 40, a homeless man who was residing in Seattle, allegedly assaulted two women and killed a man within a 12-hour period earlier this year. On March 3, Jay supposedly stabbed one unidentified woman at a bus stop after he repeatedly threw another woman, reportedly a nurse, down the stairs at the Union Station stop of the Seattle light rail. CCTV captured that attack on video.

**Warning: disturbing **


\u201cNEW: Prosecutors allege prolific offender Alexander Jay randomly attacked a nurse as she exited a light rail station in Seattle. She broke 3 ribs & her clavicle. Police say Jay is homeless. He has at least 22 convictions to his name. \n\nREAD THE DETAILS: https://t.co/x8qSS9mUwN\u201d
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio) 1647194606

Hours after this vicious attack, Jay supposedly beat Brent Wood, 31, to death.

The "nurse" victim later identified Jay as her attacker, and he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault for the three incidents.

In April though, the cases against him became more complicated. A judge ruled that Jay was incompetent to stand trial for the two assault charges, and then a judge ordered that Jay be placed in a mental health facility for three months, rather than jail, so that he could better understand the charges leveled against him. It is unclear whether the same judge or two different judges issued those rulings.

Despite the court order, Jay remained in jail because there was no bed available at a mental health facility, the state Department of Social and Health Services stated. Because he did not receive the court-ordered services, another judge ordered that DSHS pay Jay $250 for each day he remains in jail. As a bed at Western State Hospital is expected to become available on October, Jay is slated to receive a total of $36,750.

Woods's family and DSHS have both slammed the decision.

"It’s ridiculous," said Nathan Wood, Brent Wood's younger brother. "It’s not right. He shouldn’t be getting money."

The DSHS argued that such "compensatory sanctions" actually punish the victims under DSHS's care.

"We believe these fines take money out of the very system that is designed to help them and provide them services," a department statement reads.

Should a judge rule that Jay is entitled to the money, Jay will not be issued a check himself. Rather, a "protective payee or agreed responsible adult" will act as steward of the funds on Jay's behalf.

A court has not yet determined whether Jay is competent to stand trial for the murder of Woods.

Jay has already been convicted of 22 crimes, including first-degree theft, domestic violence, possession of a controlled substance, and burglary. It is unclear why a criminal with such a lengthy, violent rap sheet would have been released from prison.

To date, Washington has shelled out nearly $100,000 to other suspects who, like Jay, did not receive mental health services while awaiting trial. It is slated to shell out nearly $90,000 more, including Jay's share.


Man accused of throwing 62-year-old woman down stairs in random attack will get $250 per day from taxpayers each day he's not in treatment



The man accused of throwing a 62-year-old woman down stairs at a Seattle train station in a March random attack will get $250 per day at taxpayers' expense for each day he's not in treatment.

Say what?

Alexander Jay was charged with second-degree assault in connection with the attack, KCPQ-TV reported, adding that he also was charged with first-degree assault after a stabbing at a bus stop near the train station that same day.

In April, Jay was ruled incompetent to stand trial and ordered to spend the next three months in an inpatient facility until he understands the charges made against him, the station said.

But it's been more than 100 days, and since the state still hasn't placed Jay into an inpatient facility, his defense called for his release, KING-TV reported.

So, why hasn't he been placed into a facility? No beds, apparently.

“The only reason it has stalled this long is that the government has not provided him a bed to get well in. That’s barbaric. That is not the behavior of a civilized society, and I find it extraordinarily offensive and heartbreaking,” King County Superior Court Judge Johanna Bender said, according to KING.

The state estimated a bed for Jay won't be available until mid-August, KOMO-TV reported.

With that, Bender found the Department of Social and Health Services in contempt of court for failing to admit Jay to treatment, calling it a violation of his constitutional rights, KING added.

Jay will remain in jail due to the severity of the charges against him, but Bender also ordered the state to pay him $250 per day for each day he remains out of a treatment facility, KING added.

Those charges began accruing May 9, KCPQ reported, adding that taxpayers likely will have forked over more than $17,000 to Jay by the time he gets a bed in a facility.

DSHS officials told KCPQ Jay's situation isn't uncommon — in fact, nearly 400 people in jail are waiting for beds with DSHS.

Criminal record dating back to 2000

Citing court documents, Jay has a criminal record dating back to 2000, KCPQ reported, adding that recent charges against him include home burglary, assault, attempted assault, and domestic violence.

Kim Hayes, the woman who was tossed down the stairs at the train station, pleaded with the court Thursday to keep Jay in jail, KING said.

"He will harm someone. I am absolutely 100% sure of it. If he gets back out he will, he will repeat offend, and I have absolute 100% assurance – I know that that will happen," Hayes said, according to the station.