SEATTLE — A King County judge has dismissed first-degree murder charges against the man accused in two brutal axe attacks on people experiencing homelessness in 2024 after repeated findings that he is incompetent to stand trial, court records and media reports show.
Charges dropped, not acquittal
The defendant, identified in public filings as Liam H. Kryger, had faced two counts of first-degree murder tied to fatal assaults that authorities say occurred in February 2024. One attack happened Feb. 10 near the Seattle Men’s Chorus parking area; the second occurred 12 days later, on Feb. 22, outside Seattle City Hall on First Hill.
Prosecutors and court officials emphasized that the judge’s order to dismiss the charges rests on Kryger’s present inability to participate meaningfully in his defense — not on a determination of innocence. Under Washington law, dismissal for incompetency often is procedural; the state can refile charges should the defendant later regain competency.
“A finding of incompetency is not the same as a defendant pleading not guilty by reason of insanity,” a King County prosecutor said in a public statement, explaining the legal distinction between competency to stand trial and a mental-state defense at the time of the offense.
What the evidence and proceedings showed
Investigators have pointed to surveillance video from nearby businesses that they say shows Kryger scouting the area shortly before one of the killings and then swinging an axe at the sleeping victim. Records also note prior violent threats by Kryger toward family members.
Defense attorneys raised concerns about Kryger’s mental competency in 2025. The court ordered restoration efforts and Kryger underwent three separate rounds of competency restoration over more than a year; those efforts were unsuccessful, according to court filings and media reports.
- Feb. 10, 2024: Fatal assault near Seattle Men’s Chorus parking area.
- Feb. 22, 2024: Second fatal attack on steps outside Seattle City Hall, First Hill.
- 2025–2026: Defense raises competency concerns; three court-ordered restoration attempts follow.
- Aug. 2026: Judge dismisses murder charges because the defendant remains incompetent to stand trial.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb. 10, 2024 | First fatal axe attack |
| Feb. 22, 2024 | Second fatal axe attack outside City Hall |
| 2025–2026 | Three competency restoration attempts |
| Aug. 2026 | Charges dismissed for incompetency; likely commitment |
Next steps and community impact
The dismissal does not mean Kryger will be released. Prosecutors say he will likely be committed to Western State Hospital for treatment of his mental health condition until such time as he can participate in court proceedings. If competency is restored, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office plans to refile first-degree murder charges, according to the office.
Local advocates and officials have noted the case highlights intersecting concerns: violent crimes targeting people experiencing homelessness, the challenges of prosecuting defendants with serious mental illness, and the limited capacity of treatment facilities to restore competency within a reasonable timeframe.
For victims’ families and those who live and work near the attack locations, the procedural dismissal may offer little immediate closure. Seattle police and county prosecutors retain the option to pursue criminal charges if the defendant’s condition changes.
As the case moves into a civil-commitment phase, the outcome will hinge on clinical assessments and treatment progress at Western State Hospital. The legal distinction between competency and criminal responsibility means the question of culpability — whether the defendant could be held responsible for the killings — remains unresolved unless and until the case returns to court.
Officials have not provided a timetable for potential refiled charges or additional public hearings. The community continues to await clearer answers about accountability and about protections for people living outdoors in Seattle.
