TACOMA, Wash. — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a man accused of fatally stabbing a woman in Point Defiance Park earlier this year. Nicholas Matthew is charged with first-degree murder following an incident that occurred on February 10, 2024, according to the Tacoma Police Department.
Authorities allege that Matthew attacked the victim while she was walking on a designated trail along Five Mile Drive. Eyewitnesses reported that he pinned her down and inflicted multiple stab wounds. The assailant fled the scene toward the Owen Beach parking area, where he disappeared from view.
In a press conference, the victim recounted her terrifying experience, stating she pleaded for her life, offering money and anything else to escape. “That was when he made it verbally explicit that his intent was to kill me,” she said, detailing the brutal encounter. Emergency responders transported her to a hospital, where she received treatment for her serious injuries.
Police apprehended Matthew in March 2024, after discovering he had fled to Atlanta, Georgia. Investigators obtained a national warrant for attempted murder in the first degree, leading detectives to travel to Georgia. Upon arrival, they discovered Matthew was attempting to leave the country. He was subsequently captured in San Francisco and held in a California facility before being extradited back to Washington.
In May 2024, a judge ruled that Matthew was not competent to stand trial based on claims from his mother regarding his mental health, specifically a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He was ordered to undergo treatment for 90 days. However, a subsequent evaluation concluded he was fit to stand trial, allowing proceedings to move forward.
As the jury selection process unfolds, the court and community remain vigilant, awaiting the outcome of this high-profile case involving allegations of severe violence. Law enforcement officials continue to emphasize the importance of justice for the victim and the broader implications for public safety.
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