Mental health evaluation delays dog walker murder suspect’s appearance in court

SEATTLE — A man accused of killing a beloved dog walker in Seattle during an attempted carjacking was expected to be in court Thursday morning.

He was scheduled to be arraigned less than 24 hours after the community held a gathering to remember the victim, 80-year-old Ruth Dalton.

Seattle Police say 48-year-old Jahmed Haynes carjacked Dalton in the Madison Valley neighborhood.

Haynes did not appear in court on Thursday as he needs to have a mental health assessment first. His next court date is set for Sept. 26.

Wednesday night, hundreds showed up for the Remembering Ruth Dalton Walk to honor the beloved woman. They gathered at East Harrison Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard East near the place she was murdered during the carjacking on Aug. 20.

New surveillance video captured the moments before her attack.

Dalton’s Subaru is visible, and investigators say Haynes is seen wearing a blue hoodie near her vehicle.

Police say there was a struggle between Dalton and Haynes. Dalton tried to drive off then Haynes forced her out of her car, running her over and killing her, according to charging documents.

Haynes is charged with murder, assault, and animal cruelty.

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