San Juan County Courts

No plea was entered by Taylor Hammel in Superior Court today (April 14, 2011) to charges of of first-degree murder with domestic violence and first-degree arson with domestic violence. The proceedings are suspended until Judge Don Eaton rules on whether Hamell, 15, should be tried as an adult. Eaton set aside two days for the declination hearing - July 12 and 13, 2011.

San Juan County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord said the judge has guidelines, the Kent factors, to be considered in making the decision. The factors are from the U.S. Supreme Court and adopted by the state of Washington.

A hearing has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, April 21 to hear a motion to release Sharon Hammel's body.

Hammel's attorney, O'Neil did not ask for him to be released pending trial. O'Neil told the judge while release is not being requested at this time, he may want to ask later. Judge Eaton said he will allow a release hearing to be scheduled at any time.

San Juan County Courts

The multi-agency investigation into the death of Sharon Hammel culminated this afternoon with the arrest of a 15-year-old male on charges of murder and arson. Sheriff Rob Nou would neither confirm or deny it was Hamell's son who was arrested. The name will be released once the 15-year-old is arraigned.

Based on preliminary autopsy results from the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's office, Hammel, 49, died of multiple stab wounds. Once that was known, Sheriff Nou began a homicide investigation into the circumstances leading up to the death and fire.

Foul play was not suspected after the preliminary investigation conducted on Sunday. As a precaution, San Juan Island Fire Chief Steve Marler had the scene processed as though it was. He requested the assistance of a certified fire investigator through the Region 3 Arson Task Force. Barry Pomeroy, from the Island County Sheriff's Office responded to assist. The fire scene investigation revealed an undetermined cause of the fire at the area of origin.

Sheriff Nou said the initial investigation was "spot on" in collection of evidence and dealing with the crime scene.

Assisting in the investigation are members of the Region 3 Arson Task Force, the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

ATF officers happened to be in a class with Island County arson investigator Barry Pomeroy on Tuesday in Seattle. They offered to come up to the county to help with the investigation. "These guys as far as fire investigation goes are the gold standard," said Nou at the crime scene Thursday afternoon. "We couldn't ask for better."

Nou credited the good work of his detectives and deputies for the quick resolution of the their end of the case. Multiple interviews led to information which resulted in the arrest.

The investigation is continuing. Coroner Randall K. Gaylord said that the body will require examination of dental records to confirm her identity.

San Juan County Courts

Sheriff Nou will release information about the crime which occurred at the house on Park Street where Sharon Hammel died Sunday, April 3, 2011, later this afternoon. San Juan Islander does not report rumors and will wait until Nou's report. SJI Editor Sharon Kivisto was at the scene for 90 minutes this afternoon.

There are a dozen officers on the scene. Washington State Patrol Crime Scene investigators are carrying household items out of the house and placing them on the deck. The ATF officers from the Explosives and Arson unit Group 3 in Seattle, are examining the scene and using their resources to help the Sheriff in the overall investigation. Evidence is examined by both WSP and ATF officers under a tent set up across the street.

ATF officers happened to be in a class with Island County arson investigator Barry Pomeroy on Tuesday in Seattle. They offered to come up to the county to help with the investigation. "These guys as far as fire investigation goes are the gold standard," said Nou at the crime scene Thursday afternoon. "We couldn't ask for better."

The ATF officers need to return to their base today, their government credit cards which are used to purchase such things as fuel for the ATF vehicle will be cut off when the federal government shuts down.

San Juan County Courts

Sharon Hammel's 15-year-old son and a tenant both woke when a smoke alarm sounded in the early morning hours Sunday and managed to escape from a fire at their home. Their attempts to rescue Hammelwere unsuccessful as were the attempts by a patrolling deputy and the first two firefighters on the scene.

Hammel worked for the town of Friday Harbor in the parks department. She could often be seen watering the hanging flower baskets.

Fire Chief Steve Marler says it appears Hammel didn't wake up. In newer homes, smoke alarms are required in every bedroom. This home had a centrally located alarm.

The 9-1-1 call to the Sheriff's Dispatch, reporting "a structure fire with a person trapped inside" in the 1000 block of Park Street in Friday Harbor, came in at On Sunday morning at 2:11 a.m. Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Four engines, a Rescue truck and 21 firefighters responded. The first fire engine arrived within six minutes. San Juan EMS, the American Red Cross and OPALCO all assisted during the incident. The fire was completely extinguished shortly before 6 a.m.

Because this was a fatal fire, Marler called in an investigator from Island County. While Marler has processed fatal fires in his career, he hasn't gone through the procedures required in Washington state.

The cause of the fire was unknown as of 7 p.m. Sunday evening, though any criminal or malicious cause had been ruled out. An autopsy will be performed by the Island County medical examiner as is standard protocol in these cases.

The last fatal structure fire anyone could remember in the county was a decades ago, Marler said when interviewed on the scene Sunday evening. "Former Fire Chief Howie Rosenfeld was the only one who could remember one and he said it was about 30 years ago," Marler said.

Ron Garner photo