GUILTY WA - Sarah Yarborough, 16, found deceased, Federal Way, 14 Dec 1991 *DNA arrest in 2019*

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Friday, April 28th:
*Trial continues (Day 10) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 4/17/23. (the trial date was change 10 times). Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-8 (4/17-4/26/23) reference post #200 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-10
4/27/23 Thursday, Trial Day 9: No info available. Trial continues on Friday, 4/28/23.
 
Monday, May 1st:
*Trial continues (Day 11) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 4/17/23. (the trial date was change 10 times). Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-9 (4/17-4/27/23) reference post #202 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
4/28/23 Friday, Trial Day 10: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 5/1/23.
 
Looks like trial is still ongoing - but not finding anything in articles...

Tuesday, May 2nd:
*Trial continues (Day 12) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 4/17/23. (the trial date was change 10 times). Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-9 (4/17-4/27/23) reference post #202 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
4/23/23: Plaintiff's proposed instructions with citations. 4/27/23: Order: Re admission of photo.
4/28/23 Friday, Trial Day 10: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 5/1/23.
5/1/23 Monday, Trial Day 11: No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 5/2/23.
 
Still says "Active" in the court site...

Wednesday, May 3rd:
*Trial continues (Day 13) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 4/17/23. (the trial date was change 10 times). Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-11 (4/17-5/1/23) reference post #205 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
5/2/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 12: No info available. Trial continues on Wednesday, 5/3/23.
 
Last edited:
Court site says still active... but no updates. So I shall keep posting this.

Thursday, May 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 14) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 4/17/23. (the trial date was change 10 times). Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-11 (4/17-5/1/23) reference post #205 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
5/2/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 12: No info available. Trial continues on Wednesday, 5/3/23.
5/3/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 13: No info available. Trial continues on Thursday, 5/4/23.
 
Still active... so...

Friday, May 5th:
*Trial continues (Day 15) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 4/17/23. (the trial date was change 10 times). Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-3 (4/17-5/3/23) reference post #207 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
5/4/23 Thursday, Trial Day 14: No info available. Trial continues on Friday, 5/5/23.
 

Some of the closing arguments are shown. The defense is claiming the initial descriptions don't match so he can't be the killer. It was a lame and weak presentation devoid of energy. Okay, there was a little energy.
 
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@NoSpoonFeeding - thanks for that!

I just received this article in my alerts:

www.federalwaymirror.com

Yarborough murder trial goes to the jury | Federal Way Mirror

Jurors will now decide if Patrick Nicholas killed the Federal Way High School student in 1991.
www.federalwaymirror.com www.federalwaymirror.com

May 4, 2023

The Sarah Yarborough murder trial is now in the hands of the jury.

Attorneys delivered closing arguments on May 3 in the case, summarizing about two weeks of testimony over DNA technology, witness statements and other evidence presented in the trial.

Jurors plan to begin deliberating on Tuesday, May 9, according to the court, so a decision in the case is unlikely to come before then.
 
Tuesday, May 9th:
*Trial continues (Day 14)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended on 5/3/23. Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-12 (4/17-5/2/23) reference post #207 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
5/3/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 13: Closing arguments by Prosecuting attorney Mary Barbosa & defense attorney David Montes. They summarizing about two weeks of testimony over DNA technology, witness statements and other evidence presented in the trial.
The three charges Nicholas faces — two counts of first-degree murder & one count of second-degree murder — are all for allegedly killing Sarah, but they concern the act itself differently. The first count accuses him of killing her with premeditated intent; the second, that he was attempting to rape her & killed her in the course of that attempt; and the third, that he was trying to commit “indecent liberties” (sexual contact by force) against her & in the course of doing so, caused her death. Jurors could find him guilty on any, all or none of the charges. He is also charged in each count with a special verdict of sexual motivation.
Jurors plan to begin deliberating on Tuesday, 5/9/23, according to the court, so a decision in the case is unlikely to come before then.
5/4/23: (#134): Stipulation & order for return of exhibits and/or unopened depos. Order (#135): Order for payment of witness expenses ($60).
 
Since I can not find a thing on this and no court updates - I will guess that the jury is still deliberating....


Wednesday, May 10th:
*Trial continues (Day 15)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Jury began deliberations on 5/9/23. ~8:30am to 5pm; ~8 ½ hours Total.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended on 5/3/23. Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-13 (4/17-5/5/23) reference post #211 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
5/9/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 14/Jury Deliberations Day 1: No info on deliberations.
The three charges Nicholas faces — two counts of first-degree murder & one count of second-degree murder — are all for allegedly killing Sarah, but they concern the act itself differently. The first count accuses him of killing her with premeditated intent; the second, that he was attempting to rape her & killed her in the course of that attempt; and the third, that he was trying to commit “indecent liberties” (sexual contact by force) against her & in the course of doing so, caused her death. Jurors could find him guilty on any, all or none of the charges. He is also charged in each count with a special verdict of sexual motivation.
Jury deliberations continued on Wednesday, 5/10/23.
 
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Patrick Nicholas was found guilty of first and second-degree murder with sexual motivation for the 1991 killing of a Washington teenager.

Here's a youtube video where I believe the d%%^%%^ reporter is talking while the verdict is being read!

 
NoSpoonFeeding said:
Patrick Nicholas was found guilty of first and second-degree murder with sexual motivation for the 1991 killing of a Washington teenager.

Here's a youtube video where I believe the d%%^%%^ reporter is talking while the verdict is being read!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the GOOD news!! :)

now I will have to listen for the sentencing date - any news on that? The court site has only this:

No idea what this means... the court date section has not been updated.

Documents List:
Sub # Date Filed Document Name
136 05/10/2023 NTHG - Notice of Hearing

link: https://dja-prd-ecexap1.kingcounty.gov/?q=node/405/2747013/FV-Public-Case-Documents-Portal
 
Update!

Wednesday, May 10th:
*Trial continues (Day 15)-VERDICT REACHED! (Day 2) (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Sarah Yarborough (16) (Dec. 14, 1991, Federal Way near Seattle) - *Patrick Leon Nicholas (27 @ time of crime/55/now 58) arrested (10/2/19), charged (10/3/19) & arraigned (10/17/19) with 1st degree murder with sexual motivation & 2nd degree rape. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
DNA from 2 cigarette butts matched DNA from crime scene.
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended 4/17/23 with jury selection. 12 jurors & 4 alternates. 4/17/23: One juror excused. Now 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Jury began deliberations on 5/9/23. ~8:30am to 5pm; ~ 8 ½ hours Total. [my guess]
Trial began on 4/17/23 & ended on 5/3/23. Judge Wiggs presiding.
Court info from 10/3/19 thru 3/28/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/29/23) & thru 4/14/23 & Trial day 1-13 (4/17-5/5/23) reference post #213 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...14-dec-1991-dna-arrest-in-2019.159660/page-11
5/9/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 14/Jury Deliberations Day 1: No info on deliberations. Jury deliberations continued on Wednesday, 5/10/23.
5/10/23 Wednesday, Trail Day 15/Jury Deliberations Day 2: Nicholas was found guilty of first & second-degree murder with sexual motivation for killing of Sarah. Nicholas is scheduled to be sentenced on 5/25/23 at 9am.
 
www.kentreporter.com

Nicholas found guilty of 1991 Federal Way murder of Sarah Yarborough | Kent Reporter

‘Nothing will bring Sarah back, but this is as much justice as we can all expect,’ friends said.
www.kentreporter.com www.kentreporter.com

May 11, 2023
After a day and a half of deliberating, jurors on May 10 found Patrick Leon Nicholas guilty of the 1991 murder of Sarah Yarborough in Federal Way.
[.....]
Nicholas, 59, faced three charges — two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder — for the killing of the 16-year-old Federal Way High School student. The charges concerned the same killing but differed on why Nicholas did it.

Jurors found him not guilty of the first charge, which accused Nicholas of killing Sarah with premeditated intent.

They did find him guilty of the second charge, which accused Nicholas of killing Sarah in the course of attempting to commit rape against her.

And jurors also found him guilty of the third charge, second-degree murder, which accused Nicholas of killing Sarah in the course of attempting to the crime of “indecent liberties” against her.

He was also charged in each count with a special verdict of sexual motivation. Jurors affirmed that special verdict in both of the charges for which they found him guilty.
[.....]
Nicholas is now scheduled for sentencing at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 25.
 
Docket update:

Documents List:

Sub# Date Filed Document Name Additional Information
137 05/10/2023 VRD - Verdict FORM A / CT 1 / NOT GUILTY

138 05/10/2023 VRD - Verdict FORM B / CT 2 / GUILTY

139 05/10/2023 VRD - Verdict FORM C / CT 3 / GUILTY

140 05/10/2023 SPV - Special Verdict FORM A / CT 1 / NOT USED

141 05/10/2023 SPV - Special Verdict FORM B / CT 2 / SEXUAL MOTIVATION / YES

142 05/10/2023 SPV - Special Verdict FORM C / CT 3 / SEXUAL MOTIVATION / YES

144 05/10/2023 EXLST - Exhibit List PRE-TRIAL

145 05/10/2023 EXLST - Exhibit List TRIAL

146 05/10/2023 JYN - Jury Note

147 05/10/2023 JINQ - Inquiry from the Jury

149 05/18/2023 STPATTY - Statement of Prosecuting Attorney



Hearings:
Date/Time Type Official Location
05/25/2023 09:00 AM Sentencing Hearing Judge Wiggs (Courtroom 3C) Courtroom 3C

link: https://dja-prd-ecexap1.kingcounty.gov/?q=node/405/2747013/FV-Public-Case-Events-Portal
 
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