Whatcom County jury clears on all charges man who fatally shot his father in 2022
A 23-year-old Everson man has been found not guilty of murder for the January 2022 shooting death of his father.
A jury acquitted Ethan Michael Knight of premeditated first-degree murder (domestic violence) and of a lesser charge of second-degree murder in Whatcom County Superior Court on Friday afternoon, March 15.
“We have believed in Ethan since the beginning and are very relieved by the good work of the jury. So happy that we were able to get Ethan released on bail throughout this very difficult process so that the last two years were not lost to him more than it was,” Starck Follis, Director of the Whatcom County Public Defender’s Office and one of Ethan Knight’s defense attorneys, said in a statement to The Herald.
Prosecutors originally charged Ethan Knight on Jan. 11, 2022, with second-degree murder (domestic violence) for the Jan. 6, 2022 shooting death of his 46-year-old father, Michael Knight. Ethan Knight’s charges were upgraded in November 2022 to first-degree murder (domestic violence) after further investigation found cellphone video footage of the shooting that prosecutors said undercut the argument that he was fighting off a drunken attack from his father, The Herald previously reported.
He pleaded not guilty to the amended charges Nov. 16, 2022, and had been out of custody since late January 2022, after his mother posted a $25,000 cash bond for him. The court previously reduced Ethan Knight’s bail from $1 million down to $250,000 with a $25,000 cash alternative, after his public defense attorneys said no danger existed of him committing a violent crime if released, The Herald previously reported.
The first-degree murder charge alleged Ethan Knight acted with premeditated intent, and included aggravating factors for allegedly committing the crime against a family or household member and while armed with a firearm, according to court records.
But in opening arguments in early March in Ethan Knight’s three-week jury trial, his defense team painted a picture of escalating violence in the home in the months and hours before the shooting that ended in a split-second life-or-death moment where the man had to defend both himself and his mother with a gun, ultimately resulting in his father’s death. The defense team argued Ethan Knight acted in self-defense — something both he and his mother told law enforcement from the beginning.
After roughly two days of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict, which was read aloud to a packed courtroom late Friday afternoon.
The court benches were filled with family, friends, legal officials, law enforcement and members of the public. Some attorneys and law enforcement members also stood, lining the sides of the courtroom.
After the court clerk read the initial verdict acquitting Ethan Knight of first-degree murder, short gasps of relief could be heard from his family and friends. Following the reading of the verdict acquitting Ethan Knight of the lesser charge of second-degree murder, more gasps could be heard and numerous people were in tears. One member who was sitting in the court benches nodded and smiled at Ethan Knight in support as the two looked at one another.
After Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Rob Olson excused the jury and released members of the public from keeping decorum in the courtroom, numerous people cheered, exhaled and broke into tears. At least half of the right-hand side of the courtroom stood up and clapped in support of the verdict after the jurors had been released from service and left the courtroom.
Several family members and friends came forward to shake hands with Follis, the public defense director, and Maialisa Vanyo, chief deputy of the public defender’s office, who both handled Ethan Knight’s case. Some also gave them hugs.
Prior to leaving the courtroom, Ethan Knight also shook hands with the prosecution team, consisting of Whatcom County Chief Criminal Deputy Erik Sigmar and senior deputy prosecuting attorney Kacie Emerick.
While shaking Emerick’s hand, Ethan Knight told her she did “a really great job” and that she had “a great future” ahead of her.
Once Ethan Knight and his family left the courtroom and were outside of the courtroom doors, they let out a loud cheer in celebration.
“I knew from our first meeting with Ethan that we would not rest until he was exonerated,” Vanyo, one of his defense attorneys, said. “We are very proud of the work of the defense team and grateful for the jury’s unanimous decision to find Ethan not guilty. Ethan and his family have been through so much. Now we hope they can find some peace and we wish Ethan every success.”
The Herald reached out to the prosecution team for comment.
This story was originally published March 15, 2024 at 4:15 PM.
