A Kent man and a Seattle teen each pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge Thursday in King County Superior Court in Kent.
King County prosecutors have charged Mark Anthony McKinney, 22, and Antonio Eugene Gaiter, 16, in connection with the shooting death of Danny Vu, 30, of Kent, Oct. 15 on the East Hill.
The Reporter is running Gaiter’s name because it has been published in other local news venues.
The shooting occurred along Southeast 256th Avenue after a dispute over a drug deal, according to charging papers.
McKinney is in custody at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent on $750,000 bail. Gaiter also is in custody at the RJC jail on $750,000 bail.
If convicted of first-degree murder, McKinney and Gaiter each face a sentence of 20 to 26 years in prison, said Dan Donohoe, spokesman for the King County Prosecutor’s Office. McKinney could face a slightly longer sentence because of his prior criminal convictions.
The two are scheduled to return to court Nov. 10 when a trial date could be set or the hearing rescheduled if either prosecutors or the defense request more time to prepare the case.
McKinney and Gaiter, each dressed in red jail jumpsuits, appeared at the same time Thursday before Judge Brian Gain at the RJC in Kent. Defense attorneys entered the not guilty pleas for the two.
McKinney waved to several relatives and friends in the galley behind the dividing glass as a guard escorted him from the front of the courtroom. Gaiter did not look back at the galley.
Before McKinney and Gaiter entered the courtroom, their attorneys made a motion to the judge to disallow a newspaper photographer from taking photos of McKinney and Gaiter. Defense attorney Julie Gaisfored, representing McKinney, and defense attorney Donald Minor, representing Gaiter, stated the photos might help identify the two.
Judge Gain denied the motion and allowed photos of McKinney and Gaiter to be taken.
Kent Police arrested McKinney Oct. 20 for investigation of first-degree murder when he turned himself in to police. Officers arrested Gaiter Oct. 21 for investigation of first-degree murder when he turned himself in to Kent Police. Detectives had been searching for McKinney and Gaiter.
Vu died of one gunshot wound to the back, according to charging papers. Police responded to a report of a shooting at about 9:43 p.m. Oct. 15 and found Vun lying in the 10900 block of Southeast 256th Street with a gunshot wound. Paramedics transported Vu to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he later died.
Vu, who was with a friend, reportedly met with McKinney and Gaiter inside Vu’s friend’s vehicle, to sell them 3 pounds of marijuana for $7,500. McKinney and Gaiter reportedly tried to get Vu to lower the price, but he refused. McKinney and Gaiter are alleged to have grabbed the marijuana and ran without paying.
Vu and his friend chased the two men out to Southeast 256th Street where the shot was fired.
Vu’s friend told detectives that after the shooting, when he went to help Vu get out of the street, Gaiter allegedly punched him in the side of the face. Earlier during the chase, Gaiter reportedly pulled out a knife and threatened Vu’s friend.
According to charging papers, McKinney has convictions for two felony violations of the uniform controlled substances act, four assaults, violation of a protection order, multiple criminal trespasses, obstruction and harassment. Gaiter does not appear to have any criminal record.
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