BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Michael Raymond King, age 42 and of Seattle, and Chomreun Sok, age 41 and of Seattle, were booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with suspicion of drive-by shooting and 1st-degree malicious mischief with damage exceeding $5,000 on February 24, 2024, following an incident in the 2400 block of E Bakerview Road. Initial reports said there was damage to a front window of a business but no injuries.
On June 13, 2024, an order of dismissal without prejudice was issued in Whatcom County Superior Court for King’s case. This occurred about a week after the state’s witness list had been filed with the court. The motion for dismissal filed by prosecutors said it was “in the interest of justice.”
On December 19, 2024, an order of dismissal without prejudice was issued in Whatcom County Superior Court for Sok’s case. Prior to this, on July 17, 2024, a jury had found him guilty on both charges. But the defense asked for a new trial citing what they referred to as misleading statements during the state’s rebuttal closing. These statements, they said, prejudiced the jury against the defendant. The court agreed and a new trial was ordered.
Prosecutors cited the following in their motion for dismissal of Sok’s case.
The court has ordered a new trial and determined that certain evidence was insufficient to support accomplice liability. The Court relied upon unpublished case that is currently pending potential reversal or clarification by the state Supreme Court. As a result, the State does not believe it prudent to proceed until the Supreme Court decision has been rendered. Because defendant is in- custody and a decision may not be rendered within speedy trial, State believes dismissal without prejudice is the only remedy currently available to the State.
Either or both men could be charged with these crimes again in the future since the dismissals are without prejudice.
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