MONROE, Wash. — A man convicted of a triple murder in SeaTac and sentenced to life in prison more than 30 years ago could be released from jail.
Timothy Pauley is serving three life sentences for the robbery, rape and murder of three people at a SeaTac Tavern in 1980.
He and another man tortured five people, killing three of them, after closing time at the Barn Door Tavern.
Both men received life sentences.
Pauley spent 35 years in prison, but he could be released in 2018. State corrections officials said he has been a model inmate.
The victims' families say they are outraged and want to know why a life sentence doesn't actually mean life in prison.
In November, the daughter of one of the victims spoke about the possibility of Pauley’s release.
"Pauley opens up this cooler door and puts a .357 Magnum handgun to our father's head and pulls the trigger. When you are told life, you believe that he is going to be spending the rest of his life in prison," said Angie Dowell.
Congressman Dave Reichert, who was a homicide detective on this case, says he can't forget what he saw that night and is adamant that Pauley should not be released.
A hearing about Pauley’s possible release is being held at 9 a.m. in Monroe Tuesday.
Early releases from prison have recently been in the headlines. Two weeks ago, the state Department of Corrections admitted that a software glitch accidentally released 3,200 prison inmates early.
At least one of those felons has been accused of murder since his early release.
KIRO
