Curtis Thompson - Repeat Sex Offender - Guilty of Murder

Thompson had previously served an 18-year prison sentence for four rapes in 1985. Upon completing the sentence in 2003, he was freed by a jury although King County prosecutors wanted to send him to a secure-treatment facility for sexual offenders.

A convicted sex predator already facing life in prison for other crimes was found guilty Wednesday of killing a Seattle woman in the Sand Point neighborhood nearly five years ago.

A King County jury deliberated about a day before finding Curtis Thompson guilty of first-degree murder in the slaying of Deborah Byars, 45, in August 2004. Jurors found that the crime was sexually motivated.

Thompson, whose frequent outbursts have disrupted court, refused to enter the courtroom to hear the verdict. Superior Court Judge Palmer Robinson ordered King County Jail staff to force him into the courtroom.

Someone in the audience clapped after the verdict was announced, angering Thompson.

"I hope you all die in hell, you vindictive people," Thompson blurted out in response.

"He's mean, he's cruel, he's sadistic, he's a coward," said Byars' older sister, Nanci Newhall, after the verdict was read. "He has no redemption."

Earlier this year, Thompson was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the rape of an Eastlake woman and the assault of two women at a University District apartment building around the time of Byars' slaying.

Because of the earlier convictions and Wednesday's verdict, Thompson will be sent to the state prison system to serve multiple life sentences.

After the verdict was read, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott O'Toole and defense attorney John Hicks expressed relief that their time with the most disruptive defendant either has ever seen is finally over.

"He needs to be held accountable. It's incredibly satisfying to know that this community is a little bit safer," O'Toole said.

Hicks, during his closing statement Tuesday, said that police were overlooking another man connected with Byars because they knew Thompson had an extensive criminal history.

"Mr. Thompson should not have his past held against him," Hicks said.

In February, a jury convicted Thompson of rape, burglary and vehicle theft for breaking into a woman's home on Aug. 17, 2004, and raping her. After the assault Thompson poured bleach on the woman's body in an attempt to hide evidence.

"Mr. Thompson should not have his past held against him," Hicks said.

In October, a jury found Thompson guilty of assaulting two women at the U-District apartment building. The victims said Thompson followed them into the building on Aug. 23, 2004, forced them into an elevator, robbed one of her engagement ring and forced the other to remove her top.

"Mr. Thompson should not have his past held against him," Hicks said.

Thompson had previously served an 18-year prison sentence for four rapes in 1985. Upon completing the sentence in 2003, he was freed by a jury although King County prosecutors wanted to send him to a secure-treatment facility for sexual offenders.

"Mr. Thompson should not have his past held against him," Hicks said.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte